“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S
Analyzing Arshdeep Singh‘s Form in IPL 2026
The Indian Premier League is a grueling tournament that demands peak physical and mental fitness from its participants. Recently, former international batter and six-time IPL champion Ambati Rayudu shared his candid observations regarding the performance of Punjab Kings’ premier left-arm pacer, Arshdeep Singh. Rayudu suggested that the bowler is currently navigating a difficult phase, likely influenced by a combination of physical fatigue and tactical errors that have hampered his effectiveness on the field.
Ambati Rayudu’s Critical Assessment
During the latter stages of the IPL 2026 group matches, the Punjab Kings faced significant challenges, including a tough outing against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium. Despite the team’s seven-wicket victory, Arshdeep Singh struggled significantly, returning figures of 0/52 from just three overs. This performance drew immediate attention from experts, with Ambati Rayudu highlighting a lack of intensity in the pacer’s deliveries.
Rayudu remarked, “He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S, noting that the bowler appears to be lacking the same snap he displayed earlier this year. Rayudu emphasized that the bowler’s reliance on short-pitched deliveries has been counterproductive. According to the former champion, Arshdeep needs to pivot his strategy: “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. But he definitely has to compensate. If he has to overcompensate, he needs to be full.”
Tactical Adjustments Needed
The core of the issue, according to Rayudu, lies in the lengths Arshdeep is hitting. The veteran analysis suggests that Arshdeep is not naturally suited to bowling frequent short deliveries. Instead, the focus for a bowler of his caliber should be on executing precise yorkers and fuller deliveries, especially during the high-pressure death overs. Rayudu observed that when Arshdeep did pitch the ball up, he saw far more control and fewer runs conceded compared to his shorter, predictable deliveries.
Arshdeep’s season statistics underscore these struggles. With 541 runs conceded across 14 matches, he currently holds the unwanted record for the most runs given away by any bowler in the tournament. While he remains the leading wicket-taker for the Punjab Kings with 14 scalps, his economy rate of 10.20 reflects the pressure he has been under throughout the season.
The Impact of Heavy Workload
While Rayudu pointed to tactical and form-based issues, other voices in the cricketing world have offered a broader perspective on the matter. Former South African cricketer Mark Boucher defended the bowler’s innate skill, attributing the decline in performance to the sheer volume of cricket played recently. Following a demanding T20 World Cup schedule, players have had little time to recover before diving straight into the intensity of the IPL.
Boucher stated, “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. 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.”
Control Issues and Looking Ahead
Compounding the difficulties with his lengths is a noticeable dip in control. During his recent appearance against the Lucknow Super Giants, Arshdeep conceded four wides, adding to his season total of 28. He is currently approaching the record of 32 wides set by Matheesha Pathirana in a previous edition of the league. As the Punjab Kings look toward the future, managing the workload of their key strike bowler will be paramount. Whether through physical conditioning or a necessary change in match-day tactics, finding the balance between intensity and precision will be essential for Arshdeep to regain his status as one of the tournament’s most lethal options.
