Sehwag blames Punjab Kings for ruining their own IPL campaign: 'They've taken the axe from CSK and struck themselves'

Virender Sehwag compared PBKS’ situation to CSK and said the franchise had hit the axe on their own foot.

Updated on: May 23, 2026, 18:23:29 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Punjab Kings’ campaign has taken a dramatic downturn after a dominant start to the season. The side that looked unstoppable in the first half, remaining unbeaten with six wins and a draw, has now slipped into a worrying six-match losing streak. Their momentum has completely vanished at the business end of the tournament, putting their playoff hopes in serious danger. To make matters worse, qualification is no longer entirely in their hands. Even if Punjab manage to beat Lucknow Super Giants in their final league clash on Saturday, they will still have to depend on the outcomes of Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders matches to stay alive in the playoff race. What once seemed like a comfortable top-four finish has now turned into a tense wait for favourable results elsewhere.

Punjab Kings have lost their last five matches. (PTI)

Veteran India opener Virender Sehwag, who has previously played and coached for Punjab, compared PBKS’ situation to CSK and said the franchise had hit the axe on their own foot.

"PBKS have taken the axe from CSK, because in five of those seven matches, they struck themselves on the foot. They should have won atleast 2-3 of those. Some huge mistakes were made," Sehwag said on Cricbuzz.

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Meanwhile, former India batter Manoj Tiwary believes Punjab Kings need to rethink their bowling combination after a string of poor results, pointing to the inclusion of Lockie Ferguson as a turning point in their slump. He also backed Marco Jansen’s return to the playing XI while stressing that Arshdeep Singh must step up with stronger performances in the crucial phase of the tournament.

"I think Harpreet Brar will keep his position. But I think Marco Jansen should return in place of Lockie Ferguson, because he has played 2-3 matches and has proven to be expensive. When the change to bring on Lockie began, that is where PBKS began to lose momentum. Since then, Arshdeep Singh has also proven to be quite expensive. It is important for him to perform," he said.

PBKS fate not in their own hands

Currently sitting fifth on the table, Punjab Kings must first overcome Lucknow Super Giants in their last league fixture on Saturday to keep their playoff hopes alive. However, victory alone may not be enough, as their qualification also hinges on results from Sunday’s double-header involving Mumbai Indians vs Rajasthan Royals and Kolkata Knight Riders vs Delhi Capitals. The Shreyas Iyer-led side will be hoping both Mumbai and Kolkata stumble in their respective matches to open the door for a top-four finish.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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