“Prabhsimran Singh Is A Sensational Player,” Says PBKS Bowling Coach Sairaj Bahutule

Punjab Kings beat Mumbai Indians by seven wickets at Wankhede Stadium. The match was played yesterday, in Match 24 of IPL 2026. MI scored 196, but PBKS chased 198/3 in 16.3 overs. PBKS now lead the points table with nine points from five games.

Prabhsimran Singh anchored the chase with 80 from 39 balls. His strike rate was 205, and he remained not out. The 25-year-old opened the innings and controlled the reply. His form across seasons has drawn strong praise from PBKS staff and teammates.

Bahutule praises Prabhsimran and Ponting’s influence

Bowling coach Sairaj Bahutule called Prabhsimran a key asset. He said, "Prabhsimran is a sensational player, as has been showcased by his consistency at the top order. He's always adapting to the situation of the game and making sure that we have a good start in every innings."

Bahutule added that Prabhsimran drives PBKS scoring across seasons. He said, "He is one of the biggest reasons why we can score runs consistently over the past couple of years." He linked this growth to head coach Ricky Ponting’s impact inside the dressing room.

Speaking on Ponting, Bahutule said, "I think a lot of the success can be attributed to Ricky's presence in the changing room. His positivity is felt by every member of the squad and players like Shreyas and Prabhsimran have responded really well to that."

Bahutule also highlighted the leadership structure at PBKS. He said, "Ricky, with Shreyas, is a fabulous combination for the franchise," underlining the strong working link between the head coach and the captain. Their approach has helped guide PBKS to an unbeaten start this season.

Shreyas Iyer’s fielding and batting draw special praise

Captain Shreyas Iyer stood out in the match with the bat and in the field. His sharp catch drew instant reaction from Bahutule, who said, "It's one of the best catches I've ever seen, and it will be remembered as one of the best catches ever in the IPL."

Bahutule described Iyer’s off-field effect in clear terms. "Shreyas is a special person to have in the dressing room. He's a game-changer with the bat and a terrific leader as well." He underlined Iyer’s value in tense chases and against strong bowling attacks.

On Iyer’s work against elite bowlers, Bahutule said, "Shreyas has been working on improving every aspect of his game, and that helps him deal with any plan that opposition bowlers might have for him before the match." His calm knock helped make the chase look simple.

Arshdeep’s spell sets up strong chase for Punjab Kings

Left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh led the bowling unit for PBKS. He took 3 wickets and allowed only 5.5 runs per over. His spell slowed MI’s middle overs. That control ensured the target stayed within reach for the in-form PBKS top order.

Bahutule said, "He bowled the perfect line and length with the new ball, and his execution with the old ball was excellent too. He was able to swing the ball effectively at Wankhede, where others have struggled to do so."

He added, "That is a result of his bowling action and the speed at which he bowls. He stuck to his basics and executed the way he's expected to." Arshdeep’s display highlighted his skill with both new and old ball on a batting-friendly surface.

Punjab Kings will now aim to keep their unbeaten run going. Their next match is against Lucknow Super Giants on 19 April. The game will be held at the New International Cricket Stadium in New Chandigarh. LSG are seventh on the table before that clash.