Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign is on the verge of collapse after a sixth straight defeat left their playoff hopes hanging by a thread, with bowling coach James Hopes admitting the team can no longer hide from the reality of the situation. While Punjab still remain mathematically alive, they are now dependent on other results apart from winning their final league game to stay in contention for a playoff spot.
“We are staring it in the face now. There’s still hope, but we need to turn it around. We need to tidy up some areas,” Hopes said after Sunday’s defeat to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
Reflecting on the performance, Hopes said Punjab were unable to hold momentum for long periods, especially with the ball. “I felt like every time we got momentum back, they’d have one big over and get back on top. Then in the chase, we got going a little bit, but it petered out. We lost too many wickets early,” he added.
The former Australia pacer insisted the poor run was not because of a lack of effort or preparation from the players and support staff. “At the moment, it’s going to be about instilling that belief back into them. And we’ve been trying. It’s not through lack of training. It’s not through lack of planning.
“The boys are training well. The boys are planning well. It’s just that we get into moments where we think, ‘Okay, we’ll get the game back our way now,’ and it’s just not happening,” he said.
Hopes also defended Punjab’s bowling group and singled out Arshdeep Singh for praise, saying the left-arm pacer has bowled much better than the numbers suggest.
“Arshdeep has bowled very well in the back half of the tournament. There’ve been plays and misses, catches dropping short of fielders and missed opportunities,” he said.
“If you add four dropped catches off his bowling, he’s probably sitting on a 17 or 18-wicket season. He fronts up every training session and every game ready to go. He’s a warrior.”
The bowling coach also backed Punjab’s top-order batters despite another disappointing chase.
“I don’t think a top order performs every game. Most top orders in this tournament play a high-risk game and sometimes it doesn’t come off,” he said.
Punjab are still mathematically alive in the playoff race, but Hopes admitted the team has left itself in a difficult position.
“We haven’t taken our opportunities in the last two weeks and now we’re where we are. There’s no hiding behind it,” he said. “We need to regroup, hope results go our way over the next few days and make sure we’re playing for something next Saturday,” he added.
Arshdeep fully fit: PBKS
Meanwhile, Punjab Kings also issued a statement confirming that Arshdeep is fully fit amid speculation over his fitness ahead of the business end of the tournament.
“Contrary to reports, we would like to confirm that our leading fast bowler and highest wicket-taker, Arshdeep Singh, is fully fit and has been actively training with the squad. The team management is absolutely pleased with his progress, and he is raring to go as we head into a crucial contest of the tournament.
“His energy, rhythm, and commitment in the nets have been extremely encouraging, and we are confident that he will continue to play a key role for Punjab Kings moving forward as well,” the franchise said in its statement.