S. Badrinath Dismisses Fatigue Excuse; Tells Arshdeep Singh to Step Up or Rest Before MI Clash

Former India batter S. Badrinath has dismissed fatigue as an excuse for Punjab Kings pacer Arshdeep Singh’s inconsistent performances in IPL 2026, saying players should stay away from the field if they are unable to give their full effort. Speaking ahead of the Punjab Kings’ crucial clash against the Mumbai Indians, Badrinath said professional cricketers are expected to perform at full intensity whenever they take the field, regardless of scheduling pressures or workload concerns.

Arshdeep, who played a major role in India’s successful T20 World Cup 2026 campaign, has struggled to maintain consistency during the ongoing IPL season. The left-arm pacer has picked up 13 wickets in 11 matches but has often failed to deliver in pressure situations for the Punjab Kings. Badrinath said he does not subscribe to the “fatigue theory” frequently discussed in modern cricket and insisted that professional athletes must prioritize performance whenever selected to play.

The former cricketer noted that Arshdeep remains a rhythm-based bowler whose effectiveness increases significantly when he is able to swing the ball both ways. According to Badrinath, the pacer becomes a far more dangerous weapon under favorable bowling conditions. He also pointed out that Punjab Kings have an opportunity to revive their campaign against a struggling Mumbai Indians side and added that Arshdeep has historically performed well against the five-time IPL champions.

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The Punjab Kings enter the contest under mounting pressure after suffering four consecutive defeats following a dominant start to the season. Once considered among the strongest teams in the tournament, the franchise now finds itself in danger of missing out on a playoff spot. The team needs at least two wins from its remaining matches to stay firmly in contention for qualification as the IPL league stage approaches its conclusion.

Captain Shreyas Iyer had earlier admitted that Punjab Kings were responsible for their current struggles after failing to defend competitive totals in recent matches. The team’s batting unit initially masked weaknesses in the bowling attack, but repeated failures in the death overs have become a major concern. Punjab’s pace attack, led by Arshdeep, currently has one of the worst economy rates among all teams in the IPL 2026.

Mumbai Indians, meanwhile, have already been eliminated from playoff contention but remain capable of influencing the tournament standings. Punjab Kings will be aiming to correct their bowling and fielding issues quickly as they seek to halt their losing streak and revive their campaign. The upcoming clash is expected to test both the temperament of Punjab’s bowling attack and the team’s ability to respond under intense pressure during the final phase of the tournament.

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