former indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar Here's an analysis of what went wrong for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season. PBKS enjoyed a dream start, winning seven consecutive matches and reaching 13 points. However, they then suffered six consecutive defeats. Although the Shreyas Iyer-led side eventually returned to winning ways, it was not enough to seal a place in the playoffs.
Tendulkar praised Punjab Kings for playing fearless cricket and stressed that pace plays an important role in long tournaments. According to him, the team focused on its processes during the first half of the season, which contributed to its success. However, in the latter stages, the players seemed to focus on results rather than the process and a change in mentality ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs.
Tendulkar wrote in a Reddit post, “Punjab Kings brought amazing energy to the tournament. Their cricket was positive, brave and often game-changing. Pace plays a vital role in long tournaments. After all, in such a fast-moving tournament, it is all about the process rather than being attached to the results. Punjab focused more on the process in the first half and more on the results in the second.”
The legendary batsman also praised Gujarat Titans for their consistency and commitment to their playing style throughout the season. Tendulkar said the Titans remained true to their brand of cricket and were not fazed by the changing conditions. He said the ability to deal with uncertainty and remain composed under pressure is an important quality in a long tournament.
Tendulkar wrote, “What is most special about the Gujarat Titans is their ability to operate within a remarkably consistent performance band throughout the season. The IPL is inherently volatile, but GT rarely strays too far from its own path, even when results fluctuate. They minimize both peaks and troughs, staying closer to their brand of cricket than most teams. Over the course of a long tournament, the ability to control uncertainty That proves to be more valuable than the occasional spectacular performance or individual match-winning performance.”
The former Mumbai Indians captain also said that a strong start does not necessarily define a team's tournament. According to Tendulkar, IPL 2026 took many unexpected turns, proving that momentum can change rapidly over the course of a season. He said that the league presented a different story on several occasions, making it interesting to watch.
“Looking at IPL 2026, I was reminded that tournaments are rarely defined by how they start. More than once this season, the table told a very different story at the halfway mark than at the end. Teams adjusted, players improved, and new solutions emerged as the competition went on. The game demands constant evolution, and that's part of what makes it so fascinating to watch,” Tendulkar said.
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