With the excitement building around the upcoming Indian Premier League season, the tournament is already sparking conversations about team combinations and player form. Among the franchises under the spotlight, Punjab Kings will be hoping to finally turn promise into consistent performances.
A major part of their plans revolves around their pace spearhead Arshdeep Singh, who has emerged as one of India’s most dependable 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.
As PBKS aim to build a strong campaign, Arshdeep’s role with the new ball and in the death overs will be crucial. Fans and experts alike are eager to see whether he can maintain his consistency and take another leap in performance during IPL 2026.
Irfan Pathan highlights area of concern in Arshdeep Singh’s bowling
Former 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 wicket-taking ability but stressed that his effectiveness with the new ball has dipped slightly in recent times. According to Pathan, Arshdeep has not been able to consistently bring the inswinger into play during the early overs—a variation that once made him particularly dangerous. The lack of movement with the new ball, he suggested, could reduce the bowler’s impact during the powerplay phase, where early breakthroughs are vital.
“Arshdeep, who was your highest 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 over the past year, or slightly less than a year, from what I have observed, he hasn’t been bowling much inswing with the new ball,” said Pathan.
Pathan also drew attention to a noticeable rise in Arshdeep’s economy rate over the past year. He explained that while the pacer continues to pick up wickets, controlling the flow of runs will be equally important, especially in a high-scoring format like the IPL. The former cricketer’s remarks underline the fine margins that separate good bowlers from great ones in T20 cricket. For Arshdeep, refining his new-ball skills and maintaining discipline with line and length could be the difference-maker in IPL 2026.
“His statistics, compared to before and after the Asia Cup, have slightly declined in terms of new ball bowling. He will need to pay attention to that and also keep an eye on his economy rate,” added Pathan.
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Impressive numbers underline Arshdeep’s impact
Despite the concerns raised, Arshdeep’s overall record remains highly impressive. He played a vital role in India’s triumph at the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2024, finishing as one of the leading wicket-takers with 17 scalps while maintaining an excellent economy rate. In the powerplay phase of T20 cricket, Arshdeep has consistently delivered breakthroughs. He has taken 90 wickets in that phase across T20s, placing him among the most effective Indian bowlers early in the innings, just behind Bhuvneshwar Kumar in terms of wickets.
His contributions for Punjab have been equally significant. Since making his debut in 2019, Arshdeep has grown into the franchise’s leading wicket-taker, picking up 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-arm seamer to reach 100 IPL wickets. Expectations will be high from the star pacer in the upcoming season of the cash-rich league.
Also READ: Irfan Pathan names Punjab Kings’ playing XI for IPL 2026
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