Netizens slammed PBKā€™s batting against the MI in their May 14th clash, and expressed their disbelief at an unusual Powerplay batting by Punjab openers, stating it as ā€˜Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh are being cautiousā€™. In a must-win game for PBKS, losing the toss, they were sent to bat first. Unlike other daysā€™ game scenarios, both the openers, Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, looked quite controlled in their batting approach. The ball was not coming onto the bat as the pitch had something for pacers under light, and MI bowlers could bowl the perfect line and length. 

Just by the end of powerplay, Deepak Chahar bowled out Priyansh Arya, leaving PBKS at 55/1. Although Shardul Thakur and Bumrah leaked runs, PBKS were under control, although Naman Dhor dropped Prabhsimran at 5, which might later get terrifying for the visitors.

Netizens were shocked to see PBKSā€™ powerplay batting in an absolutely overturned scenario at HPCA stadium. Some of them said not scoring a ā€˜ 240 in this groundā€™ will result in another loss for PBKS. Some said how frustrating it is to witness PBKS batting so slowly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Akash Chopra reveals ā€œWhy has it gone so bad for PBKS?ā€

At the start of the IPL 2026 season, PBKS was one of the strongest sides of this season and was a sure shot for qualification for the playoffs. But at the end of the season, PBKSā€™ fate and performance have taken an unexpected turn, with back-to-back losses, to the point where losing a game from here might mean being out of the playoffs. Although a major reason has been seen as a deterioration in powerplay bowling as a major concern, cricketer turned commentator Akash Chopra has revealed that he thinks the sole reason for these losses is due to a loss in the toss. He explained that in first phase of IPL, PBKS was on a winning streak as they won their first six games in which they won five tosses. The Shreyas Iyer led side has mostly chased five times and things went downhill when PBKS won only one toss in next four of their losses. Scoring only 200 plus was not enough as their powerplay bowling woes remain. After 11 games, Punjabā€™s economy rate in death overs is 11.6 which is the worst this season.

"Punjab have suffered four defeats. Why has it gone so bad for them? It's gone bad because they are not winning tosses now.ā€ said Akash Chopra in his Youtube Channel ahead of MI vs PBKS clash.

PBKS would definitely look for a win in the MI game in this desperate situation, and definitely to keep themselves alive for the IPL 2026 playoffs.