Sunil Gavaskar Tears Into Punjab Kings After Mumbai Indians Loss In IPL 2026
Gavaskar criticises Punjab Kings after loss to Mumbai Indians.
Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar has criticised Punjab Kings’ performance in their defeat to Mumbai Indians in Dharamsala, saying the Shreyas Iyer-led side let a winnable match slip despite a strong batting finish and momentum at a crucial stage of the innings.Punjab Kings, who had built strong early-season momentum in IPL 2026, have now suffered a fifth consecutive defeat, severely damaging their playoff hopes.
In the latest clash against Mumbai Indians, PBKS posted a competitive total after a late surge but failed to defend it, with their bowling unit struggling to contain the opposition in the death overs.Analysing the match, Gavaskar pointed out that Punjab Kings lost control despite scoring heavily in the final phase of their innings. He said the team appeared well placed after adding 53 runs in the last three overs, crossing the 200-run mark, but could not capitalise on the advantage due to inconsistent bowling performances.
A key concern highlighted by Gavaskar was the failure of captain Shreyas Iyer, whose contribution with the bat he described as vital to Punjab’s overall balance. He suggested that Iyer’s early dismissal or lack of runs cost the team an additional 20–30 runs, which could have proved decisive in such a close contest.Gavaskar also questioned certain tactical decisions, including the use of bowlers in the powerplay and death overs.
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He noted that England pacer Bartlett had an expensive outing and expressed surprise that he was not given the new ball despite conditions that could have assisted early movement. At the same time, he praised Azmatullah Omarzai for his all-round performance, calling him a standout contributor with both bat and ball.
He further suggested that Punjab Kings should continue backing Omarzai while also considering the inclusion of Marcus Stoinis to strengthen the lower-middle order and provide additional depth to the batting lineup.With Punjab Kings now struggling for form at a critical stage of the tournament, Gavaskar’s assessment adds to growing scrutiny over the team’s inability to close out matches despite strong starts, leaving their playoff qualification hopes hanging in the balance.
Also Read: Gavaskar Says Mumbai Need A Perfect Finish To Remain In IPL 2026 Contention.
