How Arshdeep Singh snapped back to form vs MI: Ponting reveals chat behind the scenes
IPL 2026: Arshdeep Singh's return to form came down to clarity, not just skill. A timely chat with Ricky Ponting helped him reset and deliver when PBKS needed him most.
Arshdeep Singh snapped back to form against Mumbai Indians after a quiet start to IPL 2026, with a key behind-the-scenes chat playing a crucial role. Ricky Ponting revealed how simplifying the pacer’s approach helped unlock his best at the Wankhede.
Arshdeep had struggled to find rhythm early in the season despite Punjab Kings’ strong run. Speaking to JioHotstar after the match, Ponting revealed how a timely conversation helped the left-arm pacer reset mentally and tactically.
IPL 2026, MI vs PBKS: HIGHLIGHTS | SCORECARD
“He’s almost an over-trainer. He probably trains too much, and sometimes ends up building bad habits into his game. But yesterday, he came down on his own and did 30–40 minutes of spot bowling to refine a few things and improve his release,” Ponting said.
“If you’ve watched him closely, he just wasn’t getting that shape with the new ball that we’re used to seeing. He worked hard on it yesterday and then executed an almost perfect first over today,” he added.
“I had a chat with him before he went out to bowl. I asked him what exact ball he wanted to bowl to Ryan Rickelton and Quinton de Kock first up. He said he wanted to hit the fourth line and swing it away,” Ponting said.
“I told him to stand at the top of his mark, visualise the ball, and then execute it. And he did exactly that. If he can bowl like he did tonight and take early wickets, then we’re off and running,” he added.
Arshdeep, who had been putting in extra work in training to rediscover his rhythm, also acknowledged that the clarity from Ponting helped him stay focused and trust his process again.
Punjab Kings continued their unbeaten run with a dominant win, chasing down a competitive total set by Mumbai Indians with ease after early breakthroughs with the ball set the tone.
HOW ARSHDEEP BROKE MI'S BACK
Arshdeep delivered a clinical spell to put Mumbai Indians under early pressure.
He dismissed Ryan Rickelton early before removing Suryakumar Yadav for a golden duck, breaking the backbone of MI’s batting in the powerplay. He later returned to dismiss the in-form Sherfane Rutherford, finishing with figures of 3 for 22.
Despite a century from Quinton de Kock, Arshdeep’s early breakthroughs ensured MI never fully ran away with the game.
Punjab Kings chased down 196 comfortably, with Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer leading the way, sealing a seven-wicket win and extending their unbeaten run in IPL 2026.
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