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"Trophy-Winning Teams Don't Run" Aakash Chopra Grills PBKS For Switching To Dharamsala

Akshita Patel

Aakash Chopra Grills PBKS [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/X.com]Aakash Chopra Grills PBKS [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/X.com]

Punjab Kings will be playing their subsequent 3 games of the IPL 2025 season at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium, Dharamsala. But cricket pundit Aakash Chopra fails to comprehend the reasoning behind switching home grounds, especially at this stage of the tournament.

PBKS are strong contenders in the playoff race, as with 6 wins in 10 games, they are seated at the 4th spot in the points table. In their next big clash, the Kings will lock horns with LSG, who are equally desperate to get some points on the board.

However, PBKS’ switch to Dharamsala has caught Aakash Chopra by surprise as he questioned the move in his latest YouTube video.

Aakash Chopra Baffled With PBKS’ Move To Dharamsala

Punjab Kings played their home games at the Mullanpur Stadium in Chandigarh in the first half of the season. However, for their remaining home games, the team will switch to the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium in Dharamsala. 

But former cricketer turned analyst Aakash Chopra questioned the logic behind the shift, saying that successful teams don’t usually move away from their familiar home grounds.

"This match is in Dharamsala. Interestingly, they are going away from home. They will play three consecutive games here. A good thing they did was that they had a camp here before the tournament. So they have a little idea at least. I will say a little bit only because it's been one-and-a-half months since that camp," Chopra said in his YouTube video.

In a crucial stage of the tournament where every win matters, this decision might backfire. PBKS are already struggling in the standings, and playing at a lesser known venue can water down their performance.

"I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that why they do this. The big trophy-winning teams don't go anywhere. Why do you go? Will you get more money? No, you won't. That ground is as unknown to you as Lucknow. So the first game is an away game for Punjab. It's an away game for Lucknow. What is the point?" he added.

Punjab Kings To Face LSG In Crucial Encounter

Punjab Kings will face Lucknow Super Giants in Match 54 at Dharamsala on May 4. PBKS, with 6 wins in 10 games, are in the top-four race, while LSG must win most of their remaining games. As for head-to-head, LSG lead the matchup by 3-2. Shreyas Iyer (360 runs) and Yuzvendra Chahal (13 wickets) are key for Punjab. On the other hand, LSG’s top order has scored nearly 64% of their runs, but their middle-order and powerplay bowling have struggled.