Former Indian all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin wants to see how Punjab Kings opening duo of Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya will respond after a couple of low scores in IPL 2026. While Singh was dismissed after scoring three runs against Sunrisers Hyderabad, Arya could only manage a solitary run on Wednesday.

Ashwin said the opposition bowlers have worked out a plan against Singh and Arya as they are bowling short and targeting the bodies of both openers. While Singh has scored 364 runs in 10 games of IPL 2026, Arya has amassed 286 runs in nine matches of the season.

Ashwin said on his YouTube Channel, “I am not saying that Prabhsimran and Priyansh Arya are struggling, but all teams have made a plan to bowl them in the body. Nobody is even looking to hit him on the stumps.

Ashwin reckons Priyansh Arya will need to take a leaf out of Abhishek Sharma’s book and create some room for himself on the on-side.

“Priyansh has to decide that, regardless of how short the delivery is, create some room and play it on the left side like Abhishek Sharma. I want to see how these two youngsters are going to respond to this. It’s because Priyansh Arya has the world’s best puller of the bat, that is, Ricky Ponting. He can work tactically.

The former CSK spinner added that PBKS will need their openers back in form at this crucial junction of the tournament.

“Punjab will still qualify, that is my guess; there is no doubt about that. They will get there comfortably. But after that, they have to play good cricket to disturb SRH and RCB, and for that, openers need to return to form,” he added.

Ashwin said the poor start by the openers is also hampering Shreyas Iyer’s form, as the PBKS skipper is coming in early at the crease.

“The way openers are not giving start [for PBKS], Shreyas Iyer’s form has also dipped. He’s coming at 20/2. It’s not easy, 20/2 is very different than 60/2, it is affecting their entire combination.”

Punjab Kings will next take on Delhi Capitals at Dharamsala on Monday.