Published on: May 27, 2026 1:27 pm IST|Updated on: May 27, 2026 1:29 pm IST
Seems like things are not well between Indian left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh and his IPL franchise, Punjab Kings. The left-arm pacer has been discussed all over social media after reportedly deleting all posts related to the Punjab Kings on his Instagram handle and also removing the team’s name from his bio. All this happened after the last season’s runners-up got eliminated from the playoff race of the Tata IPL 2026.
This unexpected digital cleanup has immediately ignited intense speculation. Is this a simple case of a social media detox, or is it the first concrete sign of an irreparable rift between the star bowler and the Punjab Kings management?
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Arshdeep’s sudden social media overhaul left only a handful of posts visible on his profile. Fans quickly noticed that among the missing content were numerous photos and videos deeply tied to his journey with Punjab Kings.
Even more surprising was the deletion of his highly viral Champions Trophy 2025 celebration reel featuring Virat Kohli—a video that had amassed over 150 million views. The dramatic timing of the cleanup, coming right on the heels of a disappointing team campaign, has fueled strong rumors that his time with the Punjab-based franchise might be coming to an end.
For Arshdeep Singh, IPL 2026 was defined as much by his smartphone screen as it was by his on-field performance. Throughout the tournament, the pacer faced severe backlash on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram for his constant obsession with making “cringe reels” and vlogging.
Instead of focusing on a dipping bowling graph, Arshdeep seemed intent on building his digital portfolio. Cricket enthusiasts grew increasingly frustrated with his relentless content creation, especially as Punjab Kings began losing crucial matches. Netizens routinely called him out for prioritizing social media clout over his primary job with the ball.
The discontent surrounding his online behavior escalated due to a series of controversial posts. The most severe backlash arrived when a viral video captured Arshdeep engaging in what he likely considered friendly banter with Indian teammate and Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma.
Before a high-stakes match, Arshdeep was heard addressing Tilak with a derogatory remark:
“Oye Andhere, sunscreen lagaaya?” (Hey, dark one, did you apply sunscreen?)
The comment immediately drew widespread condemnation. Fans branded the remark insensitive, while former Indian spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan reacted strongly on social media, demanding strict action and even suggesting a seasonal ban.
Economy Rate: 10.20 (Extremely expensive for a frontline bowler)
The off-field drama did not stop there. Arshdeep didn’t shy away from publicly mocking his Punjab Kings teammates in his videos. In one particular airport vlog, he chose to brutally troll fellow PBKS star Shashank Singh over his struggles on the field, specifically mocking him for his dropped catches during a tough phase of the tournament.
While presented as locker-room humor, fans felt the public call-out crossed a line, unnecessarily embarrassing Shashank on a public platform while Punjab Kings’ fielding standards were already under heavy scrutiny by head coach Ricky Ponting.
The heavy criticism of Arshdeep’s social media antics was amplified because his performance on the pitch failed to back up the noise. While he ended the season as Punjab’s highest wicket-taker with 14 wickets, the raw numbers mask a highly inconsistent campaign.
Arshdeep struggled heavily with his line and length, leaking runs at an alarming economy rate of 10.20 and frequently giving away costly extras. This lack of discipline in the death overs contributed heavily to Punjab Kings narrowly missing out on a playoff spot by just a single point. Reports even emerged during the latter half of the tournament suggesting that team management had explicitly advised the pacer to cut down on his vlogging and focus on his bowling.
Neither Arshdeep Singh nor the Punjab Kings management has issued an official statement regarding the mass deletion of his posts or the swirling trade rumors. In case Arshdeep decides to make a move, which team would you like to see the left-arm pacer feature in for Tata IPL 2027? Cast your votes in the comments section below.
Tags: IPL 2026