Chennai (Tamil Nadu), May 18 (ANI): After Punjab Kings’ loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru, former cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin explained that Priyansh Arya’s recent dip in form is due to bowlers figuring out his weaknesses. This has caused the young opener to struggle with his natural attacking style.
Ashwin urged Arya to “find answers” during his current phase of uncertainty. He noted that while Arya used to play confidently, he now seems hesitant, thinking too much about how to handle deliveries instead of playing them freely.
Punjab Kings’ season has been a rollercoaster, starting with seven consecutive wins but now facing a sixth straight loss, leaving their playoff hopes fragile. They need to win their final match against Lucknow Super Giants while hoping rivals Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings don’t reach 14 points.
During the RCB clash, Arya was dismissed early by Bhuvneshwar Kumar with a half-hearted shot. His recent scores show inconsistency, compared to his strong start earlier in the season. Ashwin highlighted that last year, Arya’s fabulous form helped PBKS reach the final, but this season bowlers have adapted to his style.
Ashwin also criticized Arshdeep Singh for his decision-making during crucial overs, suggesting he should focus more on yorkers rather than slower balls.
Overall, Ashwin believes both Arya and Arshdeep need to work on their techniques to improve PBKS’ chances in the IPL.