Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has analysed 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 straight defeats. Although the Shreyas Iyer-led side eventually returned to winning ways, it was not enough to secure a playoff berth.
Tendulkar praised Punjab Kings for playing fearless cricket and emphasised that momentum plays a crucial 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 appeared to shift their attention towards results rather than the process, and that change in mindset ultimately cost them a place in the playoffs.
“Punjab Kings brought wonderful energy to the tournament. Their cricket was positive, brave and often game-changing. Momentum plays a crucial role in lengthy tournaments. Eventually, in such a fast-moving tournament, it boils down to process and not getting attached to results. Punjab focused more on process in the first half and more on results in the second,” Tendulkar wrote in a Reddit post.
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The legendary batter also praised Gujarat Titans for their consistency and commitment to their style of play throughout the season. Tendulkar said the Titans stayed true to their brand of cricket and were not distracted by changing circumstances. He added that the ability to manage uncertainty and remain composed under pressure is a crucial quality in a long tournament.
“What stands out about the Gujarat Titans is their ability to operate within a remarkably consistent performance band across an entire season. The IPL is inherently volatile, but GT rarely stray too far from their method, even when results fluctuate. They minimize both peaks and troughs, staying close to their brand of cricket more consistently than most teams. Over a long tournament, that ability to control uncertainty often proves more valuable than occasional bursts of brilliance or isolated match-winning performances,” Tendulkar wrote.
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The former Mumbai Indians captain also said that a strong start does not necessarily define a team’s tournament. According to Tendulkar, IPL 2026 produced several unexpected twists, proving that momentum can shift quickly over the course of a season. He noted that the league offered a different story on many occasions, making it fascinating to watch.
“Looking back at IPL 2026, I was reminded that tournaments are rarely defined by how they begin. More than once this season, the table told a very different story at the halfway mark than it did at the end. Teams adjusted, players improved, and new solutions emerged as the competition progressed. The game demands constant evolution, and that is part of what makes it so fascinating to watch,” said Tendulkar.
