R Ashwin Backs Ponting to Fix Priyansh Arya's Short Ball Vulnerability at PBKS

Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has suggested that Punjab Kings opener Priyansh Arya seek guidance from head coach Ricky Ponting to overcome his repeated struggles against short-pitched bowling during the ongoing IPL 2026 season. Ashwin’s remarks came after Punjab Kings suffered a 33-run defeat against Sunrisers Hyderabad at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium on Wednesday.

Priyansh Arya once again fell victim to a short ball during the match, with Sunrisers Hyderabad captain Pat Cummins dismissing the left-handed batter using a delivery angled away with extra pace and bounce. Attempting a pull shot, Priyansh mistimed the ball towards deep square leg, where Eshan Malinga completed the catch. The dismissal added to a growing pattern this season, with opposition bowlers repeatedly targeting the batter with short-pitched deliveries.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin said Punjab Kings should avoid making immediate changes to their batting order despite Priyansh’s recurring weakness against the short ball. He explained that the batter tends to remain too still at the crease, which affects his ability to adjust against deliveries rising sharply towards the body. Ashwin added that experienced fast bowlers such as Pat Cummins are capable of exploiting angles, bounce, and pace effectively against young batters still adapting to top-level T20 cricket.

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Ashwin also pointed towards Ricky Ponting’s experience as one of cricket’s finest pull-shot players, suggesting the Australian legend could help Priyansh improve technically and tactically. According to Ashwin, Ponting’s understanding of handling short-pitched bowling could prove valuable for the youngster as he works to strengthen his game against fast bowlers. He indicated that guidance from an experienced coach could help Priyansh develop better positioning and shot selection under pressure.

Sunrisers Hyderabad delivered a dominant all-round performance in the match to move to the top of the IPL 2026 points table. Explosive knocks from Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan powered SRH to a commanding total of 235 for 4 after they elected to bat first. Klaasen smashed 69 runs off 43 deliveries, while Kishan contributed 55 from 32 balls. Earlier, openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head provided an explosive start with a rapid 54-run opening partnership.

Punjab Kings struggled throughout the chase after losing early wickets and slipping to 23 for 3 inside the opening four overs. Despite a fighting unbeaten century from Cooper Connolly, who scored 107 off 59 balls, the side failed to recover from the poor start. The defeat further exposed concerns around Punjab’s batting consistency, with attention now turning towards whether the team can address technical weaknesses and remain competitive during the crucial final stages of the tournament.

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