‘PBKS should explain why and how Arshdeep has been marginalised’ - Aakash Chopra furious with PBKS management over handling of Arshdeep Singh

After Punjab Kings’ defeat at the hands of Delhi Capitals in match no. 64 of the ongoing IPL 2023, former India cricketer Aakash Chopra lashed out at PBKS management for not handling young pacer Arshdeep Singh well enough.

Notably, the 24-year-old wasn’t given the new ball and neither skipper Shikhar Dhawan introduced him in the death as the left-arm seamer bowled only two overs in the middle, leaking 21 runs in the process.

Following the completion of the match, Chopra took to Twitter to point that out and asked PBKS management to explain the reason behind this move. He also pointed out that the Madhya Pradesh-born cricketer was in the IPL 2023 Purple Cap race previously but with time, he lost his position because the team couldn’t use him well in the tournament. 

“Arshdeep started this tournament with being in the race for the purple cap…he’s not bowling with the new ball anymore. Isn’t bowling in the death either. And it’s not about the captaincy, I feel. The team management at PBKS should explain why and how Arshdeep has been marginalised,” Chopra tweeted.

Aakash Chopra@cricketaakash

Arshdeep started this tournament with being in the race for the purple cap…he’s not bowling with the new ball anymore. Isn’t bowling in the death either. And it’s not about the captaincy, I feel. The team management at PBKS should explain why and how Arshdeep has been… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

11:40 PM · May 17, 2023

4.9K162

Meanwhile, after the match, Shikhar Dhawan stated that it was a mistake on his part to bowl Harpreet Brar in the last over as the spinner went on to concede 23 runs.

“It was frustrating. But we didn't bowl well in the first six overs. We should have taken a couple of wickets with the way the pitch was behaving. With the no ball, we believed but credit to Liam for the way he played. I feel my decision to bowl spinner the last over was wrong and it shifted the momentum towards them. The pacers didn't bowl full enough. We need to bowl in the right areas on these kinds of surfaces and it is hurting us,” Dhawan said after the game.

Meanwhile, following their defeat, PBKS have complicated their road to the IPL playoffs. They now will have to beat Rajasthan Royals in their next match and then will have to look at other teams as NRR (net run rate) might play a part in the end.