In a season marred by unexpected defeats and batting collapses, Punjab Kings’s bowling coach, Charl Langeveldt, has openly criticized the team’s middle-order performance, calling for more substantial contributions with the bat. Following yet another setback in their IPL campaign, Langeveldt stressed the urgent need for the batsmen to step up, especially after losing six of their eight matches so far. This lackluster series of performances places Punjab Kings perilously close to the bottom of the league standings, raising concerns about their strategy moving forward.
Given their new home base in Mullanpur, PBKS had high hopes for a turnaround in their fortunes. However, these expectations have been thoroughly dashed as the venue witnessed all but one of the Kings’ matches ending in defeats. The latest facedown against the Gujarat Titans only added salt to the wound, with PBKS folding for a total of just 142 runs. The inning was notably marked by a glaring collapse where the team lost seven wickets for a mere 47 runs after initially setting a promising stage with a half-century opening partnership.
Langeveldt expressed his disappointment at the post-match press conference, highlighting not only the players’ frustration but that of the staff and fans as well. “It’s disappointing. Everyone’s hurt—players, staff, fans,” he emphasized. The coach pointed to the phases of the game where PBKS faltered, specifically criticizing the middle order’s inability to handle the Titans’ spin bowling attack effectively. “We showed character with the ball and had a decent start with the bat, but their spinners were of high quality, and we couldn’t handle them,” Langeveldt lamented.
The Gujarat Titans, deploying their spinners for a record 13 overs in this season, managed to dismantle the PBKS batting lineup, taking a collective haul of 7 wickets with R Sai Kishore leading the charge with impressive figures of 4 for 33. The strategic choices for PBKS were also in question, particularly the decision to bench Rahul Chahar, considering the impact spin had in the game. Langeveldt rationalized this by underscoring the unpredictability of the collapse. He noted, “We thought about bringing in Chahar, but with the batting collapse, it seemed more prudent to focus on putting runs on the board. Our key aim now is to work on getting those crucial extra runs.”
Looking forward, Langeveldt remains optimistic about the upcoming fixtures, particularly with the change in venue to Eden Gardens in Kolkata, known for being a more batting-friendly pitch. “The batters are definitely going to be happy about the next venue. However, this means our bowlers also need to up their game, given we’ll be playing on higher-scoring grounds,” he stated, conveying his resolve to seek improvement across both dimensions of the team’s game.
Despite the disheartening performance thus far, Langeveldt affirmed that the mood within the camp still holds a veneer of positivity. With more than 50 percent of the matches played, PBKS sitting second-last on the points table is not a deterrent but rather a challenge that the team is ready to face head-on. “We still have to believe. We are a positive side, and the boys have shown a lot of character on the field. There is still a lot to play for, and we just need to start winning,” he concluded with a hopeful tone.
As the season progresses, it will be critical for Punjab Kings to address these inconsistencies and convert their potential into victories. With Langeveldt’s directives clear, it will be interesting to see how the team adapts, especially the middle order, which is now under intense scrutiny to elevate their game and steer the team towards a more competitive stance in the league.