‘Punjab focused more on…’: Sachin Tendulkar explains Punjab Kings IPL 2026 downfall

Punjab Kings looked unstoppable during the opening phase of IPL 2026. Led by Shreyas Iyer, the franchise went through the first half of the season without losing a match, picking up 13 points from their opening seven matches and establishing themselves as the early favorites for the title. However, their campaign unraveled just as quickly as it gained momentum. Punjab suffered six straight defeats during the second half of the league phase and despite ending the season with a win, could not recover enough to secure a place in the play-offs. It was an amazing turnaround for a Ricky Ponting-coached team that seemed destined for a top-four finish. While Royal Challengers Bengaluru eventually lifted the trophy for the second consecutive season under Rajat Patidar, Gujarat Titans once again proved their consistency by finishing second. Rajasthan Royals reached Qualifier 2 after another outstanding season from teenage sensation Vaibhav Sooryavanshi, while Sunrisers Hyderabad completed the play-off line-up after some strong performances during the campaign. Reflecting on the season, Sachin Tendulkar offered his assessment of Punjab’s dramatic decline, highlighting how a shift in mindset may have contributed to their downfall. “Punjab Kings brought an amazing energy to the tournament. Their cricket was positive, bold and often game-changing. Momentum plays a key role in long tournaments. Ultimately, in such a fast-paced tournament, it comes down to process and not getting hung up on results. Punjab focused more on progress in the first half and more on results in the second,” he wrote in a post on Reddit. Tendulkar also reserved special praise for Gujarat Titans, who once again proved to be one of the most reliable teams in the competition. Despite falling short in the finals, GT maintained the consistency that has become a hallmark of the franchise since its debut season in 2022. “What stands out about Gujarat Titans is their ability to operate in a remarkably consistent performance band throughout the season. The IPL is inherently fickle, but GT rarely strays too far from their method, even when results fluctuate. They minimize both highs and lows, staying close to their brand of cricket more consistently than most teams. Over a long tournament with isolated opportunities, this ability is often more valuable than critical uncertainty. winning performances,” he wrote. The great batsman also reflected on how quickly fortunes can change over a long IPL season, pointing out that first place finishes often do little to indicate where teams will ultimately finish. “Looking back at IPL 2026, I’m reminded that tournaments are rarely defined by how they start. More than once this season, the table has told a completely different story halfway through than it did at the end. Teams have adapted, players have improved and new solutions have emerged as the competition has progressed. The game requires constant evolution, and that’s part of what makes it so fascinating to watch.” Punjab Kings’ campaign ended up being one of the biggest talking points of IPL 2026. From setting the pace during the first half of the tournament to missing out on the playoffs altogether, their season served as a reminder of how quickly momentum can change in the IPL.