Punjab Kings experienced one of the most dramatic reversals in IPL 2026, winning six of their first seven matches before losing six consecutive games that ultimately cost them playoff qualification. The franchise started the season with momentum but saw their campaign unravel in the second half, finishing with a 6-8 record after beginning 6-0. The sudden shift in fortunes left the squad searching for answers about what went wrong during their critical phase.
Shashank Singh, the 34-year-old batter who joined PBKS in 2024, recently opened up about the team’s collapse and the emotional toll of the dramatic downturn. Speaking candidly about the experience, Singh reflected on how the squad processed the sudden shift from winning to losing. The batter acknowledged the unprecedented nature of their collapse, noting that few teams have experienced such a dramatic reversal in fortune.
“Obviously, after winning six games, the morale was very high. There were no negative discussions. But at the same time, we kept wondering why it was happening. As far as I know, this has never happened to any team before. Winning six or seven games in a row and then losing six on the trot is a collapse that very few teams have experienced.” Singh said in an exclusive interview with NDTV Sports.
“Naturally, we were a bit concerned. We kept asking ourselves where we were going wrong. But the IPL is such a fast-moving tournament that correcting mistakes is not easy. It’s not as if you’re changing the playing XI every match. Usually, 10 or 11 players remain the same,” he added.
Fielding failures and dropped catches
The collapse was marked by significant fielding issues that plagued PBKS throughout the season. The franchise dropped 16 catches from 56 opportunities across the tournament, with Singh himself dropping five relatively straightforward chances.
Coach Ricky Ponting described the fielding lapses as “a virus running through the camp”, while captain Shreyas Iyer called it “the single biggest setback of the season”.
Despite the mounting losses, Singh explained that the squad maintained a positive mindset and avoided turning negative during the difficult phase. He highlighted how the leadership group, including Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal and Ponting, focused on the positives even as results deteriorated.
The younger players in the squad, however, faced a different challenge as they navigated a situation most had not encountered before.
“We were confused about why things were unfolding the way they were, but the best part was that we never turned negative. Now that the IPL has been over for nearly three months, when we look back on that phase, we realise there were several key moments that cost us games. We dropped crucial catches, could have bowled better in important overs, and failed to build on important partnerships,” Singh said.
Maintaining morale through the collapse
When asked whether the team’s morale had dipped during the losing streak, Singh firmly rejected the suggestion that negativity had crept into the camp. He emphasised that the squad’s approach remained consistent throughout the tournament, regardless of the results on the field. The batter stressed that the environment off the field remained normal and that the experienced members of the squad helped maintain perspective during the difficult period.
“Not at all. Not even by 0.1 per cent. The best part was that we were quite relaxed. The way we approached the first six games and the way we approached the last eight games was exactly the same,” he opined.
“Obviously, our performances on the field were not as good in the second half, but off the field everything was completely normal. Whether it was Shreyas, Arshdeep, Yuzi, or Ricky sir, everyone focused on the positives. They had experienced such situations before. Most of the younger players hadn’t.” he concluded.
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