“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S – “He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S
“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S, highlighting a worrying dip in performance from one of Punjab Kings’ most relied-upon bowlers in IPL 2026. Despite PBKS snapping a six-match losing streak with a convincing seven-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants, all eyes were on Arshdeep Singh’s troubling spell that raised more questions than answers.
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Physical Fatigue Showing on the Field
Ambati Rayudu, the six-time IPL champion and former international batter, did not hold back in his assessment of Arshdeep’s recent outings. He pointed directly to signs of physical and possibly mental fatigue, stating: “He should be mindful of that because his short ball, he doesn’t have a great bouncer at the moment, maybe because of his body being tired or he doesn’t have the same juice as what he did a few months back. But he definitely has to compensate. If he has to overcompensate, he needs to be full.”
Rayudu’s critique comes after Arshdeep conceded 52 runs in just three overs against LSG, finishing with 0/52 and an economy rate of 17.33. Captain Shreyas Iyer notably chose not to use Arshdeep’s final over, a rare move for a bowler usually trusted in high-pressure situations.
Length Issues: The Core Problem?
Rayudu emphasized that Arshdeep’s primary issue lies in his bowling length. The left-arm pacer has increasingly relied on short deliveries, which are not his strongest weapon. Instead, the expert stressed the need for more yorkers and fuller lengths, especially during powerplay and death overs.
“I just think his lengths [are the problem]. He’s not someone who should be bowling a lot of short deliveries. Even in the death, he should be bowling yorkers. And even with the new ball, whenever he has bowled full, except for the first ball which was driven through the covers, I don’t think his fuller balls went for so many runs as much as the short of length deliveries or the short ball,” Rayudu explained.
Numbers That Tell a Story
- 14 matches played
- 14 wickets taken (PBKS’ highest wicket-taker)
- 541 runs conceded (most by any bowler in IPL 2026)
- Economy rate: 10.20
- 28 wides bowled (closing in on Matheesha Pathirana’s record of 32 from last season)
While Arshdeep remains Punjab’s leading wicket-taker, his economy rate and mounting wides suggest a loss of control that cannot be ignored.
Workload: The Real Culprit?
Former South Africa coach Mark Boucher offered a more empathetic take, linking Arshdeep’s dip in form to an exhausting schedule. “I think it’s just being tired [after the T20 World Cup] and this month being the IPL, and he had to play in this. That’s the reason why he’s like that,” Boucher said. “I don’t think it’s got anything to do with his skill or his talent. At some stage, it [the fatigue] has to catch up with the players. It’s just, it’s natural.”
Boucher’s comments underscore the growing concern around player workload management in modern cricket, especially for frontline pacers representing their nations and franchises consecutively.
What’s Next for Arshdeep?
With the playoffs on the horizon, Punjab Kings will need Arshdeep to regain his rhythm quickly. Relying on him as a death-over specialist only makes sense if he can consistently deliver yorkers and maintain line and length under pressure. The team management may need to consider workload rotation or even a short break to help him recharge.
For now, the message is clear: if Arshdeep cannot rediscover his “juice,” both physically and mentally, his effectiveness—and PBKS’s playoff chances—could be in jeopardy.
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