Kings of the Punjab co-owner Preity Zinta reacted strongly to a wave of rumors and online speculation about the franchise during its run. IPL 2026 season. With Punjab going through a tough phase after a dream campaign, both Zinta and the franchise issued statements to prevent the spread of misinformation about the team and its players from fans, media outlets and social media users.
Punjab Kings were among the side to watch in the first half of IPL 2026. The franchise won six of their first seven matches and looked like genuine title contenders at the start of the tournament. Their strong run also included a record-breaking chase as they crossed their milestone for the highest successful run chase in IPL history.
But in recent weeks, the pace has slowed dramatically. PBKS have now lost four in a row, falling out of the top two in the points table and raising concerns about their playoff chances. Along with the disappointing results, the team also found itself at the center of numerous controversies and rumors on social media.
Recently, the franchise has been surrounded by controversy over alleged off-field issues. Alleged vaping incident reports and online chatter Yuzvendra Chahalalong with comments about Prabhsimran Singh‘s fitness and supposed weight gain has attracted attention on several platforms.
At the same time, the attitude and discipline of the staff in certain positions were questioned. While neither the franchise nor the players have directly addressed the individual allegations, the growing uproar online prompted the Punjab Kings and Zinta to respond publicly.
Addressing X, Zinta made it clear that criticism of cricket performances is acceptable, but deliberate attempts to spread fake stories will not be tolerated. He also urged verified accounts and media professionals to act responsibly before amplifying unconfirmed reports or rumours.
“There is a difference between criticism and calculated misinformation. Healthy debate around the game is welcome, but the deliberate spreading of false narratives to harm individuals, teams or brands should not and will not be taken lightly,” Zinta wrote in her statement.
There is a difference between criticism and calculated disinformation. Healthy debate around the game is welcome, but spreading false narratives intentionally to harm individuals, teams or brands should not and will not be taken lightly. I urge everyone to confirm … https://t.co/yeqbsTwLBd
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) May 12, 2026
Also READ: How PBKS can qualify for IPL 2026 playoffs after losing to DC in Dharamshala
Punjab Kings returns owner’s message
Punjab Kings echoed a similar sentiment in their statement on social media. The franchise acknowledged that criticism and jokes are part of professional sports, but stressed that fictional stories created purely for online engagement cross the line.
“Criticism, jokes and opinions are part of sports. Fake stories and make-believe stories for cheap engagement are not. We urge everyone to check the facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction.” franchise is placed.
Criticism, jokes and opinions are part of sports. Not fake stories and fabricated stories for cheap engagement. We urge everyone to check the facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction.
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 12, 2026
The revelations come at a crucial stage in the tournament, with Punjab looking to regain control of their season after a sudden slump in form. Despite a four-match losing streak, PBKS are still firmly in the playoff race and have plenty of matches left to revive their campaign.
A crucial clash awaits against Mumbai Indians
Punjab Kings will turn their attention back to cricket as they prepare for a crucial clash against Mumbai Indians on May 14 in Dharamshala. With the playoff race tightening, the upcoming game could play a major role in shaping Punjab’s season. The franchise will be hoping that the focus will once again be on their on-field performances as they look to recover from their recent slump and rediscover the form that made them one of the most dangerous teams in IPL 2026.
