DC vs PBKS: Shashank Singh drops KL Rahul, Is Punjab player making a Habit of Spilling Catches?

Punjab Kings' unbeaten run in IPL 2026 has come under fresh scrutiny at the Arun Jaitley Stadium as Shashank Singh once again turned into a liability in the field. In the 35th match against Delhi Capitals, the all-rounder dropped a straightforward sitter off KL Rahul, handing the DC batter a crucial lifeline that could prove decisive.

Bowling from Arshdeep Singh, KL Rahul miscued a pull shot that flew straight to deep square leg. Shashank, stationed there, crouched low but spilled the catch, allowing the ball to race away for a boundary. Rahul, on just 12 at the time, was reprieved yet again.

Rahul has gone on to dominate, racing towards a match-defining knock as DC posted a formidable total early in their innings. The India batter scored his centiry in 47 deliveries as Capitals are 189/1 after 15 overs and are heading towards a mammoth total.

Shashank Singh Catch Drop - A Habit Now?

The drop was no isolated lapse. In PBKS's previous outing against Lucknow Super Giants just days ago, Shashank had shelled three straightforward catches, leaving head coach Ricky Ponting visibly furious in the dugout and captain Shreyas Iyer shaking his head in disbelief. Ponting was seen burying his face in his hands, while the team somehow escaped with a 54-run win. Shashank's batting cameo of 17 off 6 balls could not mask the damage his fielding inflicted.

In Cricket, catches often win you matches. And Shashank taking an anti approach to that may come back to bite Punjab in this match and beyond. On Saturday, dropping KL Rahul has proven a costly one so far, and the PBKS player will have to buckle up to escape this catch-dropping run.

Critics and fans alike are now questioning the 29-year-old's place in the side. Once hailed for his finishing prowess, Shashank's repeated fielding blunders are turning matches into unwanted thrillers for Punjab Kings. With the high-pressure playoff race looming, butterfingers at crucial junctures are a luxury PBKS can no longer afford.

Punjab Kings remain top of the table, but Shashank Singh's latest howler has sparked renewed calls for a fielding overhaul before it costs them dearly. For KL Rahul and DC, it was a gift they gladly accepted. For PBKS, it was another painful reminder that their biggest weakness lies between the ears-and in the hands-of one man.