With excitement building around the upcoming Indian Premier League season, the tournament is already sparking conversations about team formations and player form. Among the franchises in the spotlight, Kings of the Punjab will hope to finally translate the promise into consistent performances.
A major part of their plans revolves around their speed Arshdeep Singhhas emerged as one of India’s most reliable T20 bowlers in recent years. Known for his composure in pressure situations and ability to strike early, the left-arm seamer carries significant expectations heading into the new season.
Arshdeep’s role with the new ball and death will be crucial as PBKS aim to build a strong campaign. Fans and pundits want to see if he can maintain his consistency during IPL 2026 and take another leap in his performance.
Irfan Pathan highlights an area of ​​concern in Arshdeep Singh’s bowling
Ex-India all-rounder Irfan Pathan recently shared his thoughts on Arshdeep’s game, pointing out a specific area that needs improvement. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Pathan acknowledged the pacer’s ability to take wickets but pointed out that his effectiveness with the new ball has dipped slightly in recent times. According to Pathan, Arshdeep has failed to consistently bring the inswinger into play during first overs – a change that once made him particularly dangerous. According to him, the lack of movement with the new ball can reduce a bowler’s impact during the powerplay phase, when early breakthroughs are vital.
“Arshdeep, who is your top wicket-taker, has been consistently taking wickets. One thing he will definitely need to focus on is how he bowls with the new ball, because from what I have seen, he hasn’t bowled much with the new ball in the last year or less.” Pathan said.
Pathan also pointed out the remarkable increase in Arshdeep’s economy rate in the last one year. He explained that while the pacer continues to take wickets, controlling the flow of runs will be equally important, especially in a high-scoring format like the IPL. The former cricketer’s words highlight the fine edges that separate the good bowlers from the greats in T20 cricket. For Arshdeep, honing his new ball skills and maintaining discipline over line and length could make the difference in IPL 2026.
“His stats are a bit down compared to before and after the Asia Cup in terms of bowling the new ball. He will have to focus on that and he will have to focus on the economy level as well.” Pathan added.
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The impressive numbers highlight Arshdeep’s impact
Despite the concerns raised, Arshdeep’s overall record remains quite impressive. He played an important role in India’s victory ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024finishing as one of the leading wicket-takers with 17 scalps while maintaining an excellent save rate. In the power play phase of T20 cricket, Arshdeep has consistently made strides. He scored 90 wickets at this stage in T20s, making him one of the most effective Indian bowlers at the start of the innings. Bhuvneshwar Kumar in terms of doors.
His contributions to Punjab have been equally significant. Since his debut in 2019, Arshdeep has become the franchise’s leading wicket-taker with 97 wickets in 87 matches. He now stands on the brink of another milestone, needing just three more wickets to become the fourth Indian left-armer to reach 100 IPL wickets. Expectations will be high for the star speedster in the upcoming season of the cash-rich league.
Also READ: Irfan Pathan has named Punjab Kings playing XI for IPL 2026
