“He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep Singh’s IPL 2026 form
An Analysis of Arshdeep Singh’s Recent Struggles
The Indian Premier League 2026 season has brought a mix of triumphs and trials for various players, but few have faced as much scrutiny as Punjab Kings’ left-arm pacer, Arshdeep Singh. Following a challenging outing against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium, six-time IPL champion Ambati Rayudu offered a candid assessment of the bowler’s current state. Rayudu remarked that “He doesn’t have the same juice” – Ambati Rayudu raises concerns over Arshdeep S, suggesting that the pacer is struggling with both mental and physical exhaustion.
Tactical Missteps and Bowling Lengths
During the clash against Lucknow, Arshdeep conceded 52 runs in just three overs, finishing with figures of 0/52. His economy rate reached a staggering 17.33, a performance that led his captain to exclude him from bowling his final over. Ambati Rayudu highlighted that the core of the issue lies in the bowler’s lengths. Rayudu noted that Arshdeep has been relying too heavily on short-pitched deliveries, which have proven ineffective given his current lack of pace and rhythm.
“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,” Rayudu explained. He suggested that if the pacer is struggling, he must compensate by pitching the ball fuller, focusing on yorkers rather than testing the batters with short deliveries.
The Burden of a Heavy Workload
The concerns raised by Rayudu are backed by statistics that reflect a grueling year for the young pacer. Arshdeep has conceded 541 runs across 14 matches this season, marking him as the most expensive bowler in the tournament. While he remains the leading wicket-taker for the Punjab Kings with 14 scalps, his overall economy rate of 10.20 indicates that he has been under immense pressure.
Former South African cricketer Mark Boucher offered a sympathetic perspective, attributing the dip in performance to the sheer volume of cricket played recently. Following a demanding T20 World Cup, the transition directly into the intensity of the IPL has clearly taken a toll. Boucher stated, “I think it’s just being tired. At some stage, it has to catch up with the players. It’s just natural.”
Looking Ahead: Discipline and Control
Beyond the lack of pace, control has become a persistent issue for Arshdeep. In the recent match against Lucknow, he bowled four wides, bringing his season tally to 28. He is currently on the verge of surpassing the unwanted record of 32 wides in a single season held by Matheesha Pathirana. This lack of discipline, combined with the struggles in his bowling length, points toward a player who is physically and mentally fatigued.
As the Punjab Kings move forward, the team management faces a difficult task in balancing their reliance on their lead pacer with the need to manage his fitness. Whether Arshdeep can regain his sharpness in the remaining matches remains to be seen, but the feedback from legends like Rayudu serves as a stark reminder of the physical demands placed on modern-day cricketers.
While the team successfully snapped a six-match losing streak against Lucknow, the performance of their primary strike bowler remains a point of concern. For Arshdeep, the remainder of the season will be about finding his rhythm, simplifying his lengths, and hopefully, recovering the “juice” that once made him one of the most feared left-arm pacers in the format.
