IPL 2026: Harpreet Brar can hurt RCB, says Sanjay Bangar after PBKS loss
Synopsis
Five straight defeats have pushed Punjab Kings to the brink in IPL 2026, and Sanjay Bangar's prescription is pointed: bring back Harpreet Brar, who has historically troubled RCB's batting line-up, and deploy two spinners in a day game where conditions could tilt the contest. The tactical call could define PBKS's playoff fate.
Key Takeaways
Sanjay Bangar has recommended recalling spinner Harpreet Brar for PBKS vs RCB in IPL 2026 .
Punjab Kings lost to Mumbai Indians by one ball at Dharamshala despite posting 200/8 .
Tilak Varma hit an unbeaten 75 ; Ryan Rickelton contributed 48 off 23 balls in MI's chase.
Rohit Sharma and Sherfane Rutherford combined for just 45 runs off 47 balls , yet MI still won.
Bangar cited the day game conditions and Brar's historical record against RCB as key reasons for the recall.
PBKS have lost five consecutive matches , making the RCB fixture a must-win for playoff qualification.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) should bring spinner Harpreet Brar back into their playing XI for their upcoming IPL 2026 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), according to former India batting coach Sanjay Bangar. His remarks came after PBKS suffered a narrow defeat to Mumbai Indians (MI) at Dharamshala on 15 May 2026, a loss that deepens their playoff crisis following five consecutive defeats.
The Case for Brar Against RCB
Bangar pointed to Brar's historical record against Bengaluru's batting line-up as a key reason to recall the spinner. “I think Punjab Kings will have the opportunity to use Harpreet Brar because he has always been a quality performer, especially against RCB,” Bangar said on Jio Hotstar.
Drawing on his own experience as a former RCB staff member, Bangar added: “Having been part of RCB myself, I know he has troubled several of their batters over the years.” The upcoming fixture is a day game, which Bangar believes creates favourable conditions for a two-spinner strategy. “It helps that the next game against RCB is a day game because Punjab can use two spinners,” he said.
Pace Options Exhausted, Time to Spin
Bangar argued that PBKS have already cycled through most of their pace-bowling combinations this season without finding a reliable formula. “So far, they have explored almost all their pace-bowling options, so perhaps it is time to go back to spin and hope that becomes an effective way of containing teams,” he explained. Brar, who has been a consistent performer in previous IPL campaigns, was not in the playing XI for the Dharamshala match.
What Went Wrong vs Mumbai Indians
Punjab posted a competitive 200/8, yet Mumbai Indians chased the target down with one ball to spare. Tilak Varma anchored the chase with an unbeaten 75, while Ryan Rickelton provided early momentum with 48 off 23 balls.
Bangar noted that the game remained in Punjab's grasp for long stretches, but tactical decisions ultimately cost them. “Shreyas Iyer used only five bowlers in this game, and there was always going to be a point when the batters targeted Bartlett. Chahal and Arshdeep had bowled extremely well until then. In a way, Punjab Kings took away their own advantage,” he said.
Tilak Varma's Heroics Dissected
Bangar was generous in his assessment of Tilak Varma's match-winning knock, contextualising just how steep the task was. “If you look at Rohit Sharma's innings and Rutherford's innings combined, they scored only 45 runs off 47 balls. That meant the Mumbai Indians still needed around 150 runs in the remaining 12 overs. So, it was a terrific effort from Tilak Varma to keep the Mumbai Indians in the hunt despite those low strike-rate innings from the other batters. Overall, it was a remarkable finish to the chase,” he said.
Must-Win Moment for Punjab Kings
The defeat leaves PBKS in a precarious position in the IPL 2026 standings. Five straight losses have made their clash against table-toppers RCB effectively a must-win if they are to keep their playoff hopes alive. Whether Bangar's prescription — recalling Brar and deploying two spinners — shapes Punjab's team selection will be closely watched ahead of the fixture.
Point of View
But it raises a harder question: why was Brar dropped in the first place if he has a proven record against RCB? Punjab's five-match losing streak suggests the problem runs deeper than a single selection call. Cycling through pace options without a clear plan, then reverting to spin under pressure, points to reactive rather than proactive team management. With RCB sitting at the top of the table, one spinner recall may not be enough to reverse a structural slump.
NationPress
9 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Sanjay Bangar recommending Harpreet Brar for the PBKS vs RCB match?
Bangar believes Brar has historically troubled RCB's batting line-up and that the day-game conditions for the upcoming fixture are well-suited to a two-spinner strategy. He also noted that Punjab have already exhausted most of their pace-bowling combinations this season.
How did Punjab Kings lose to Mumbai Indians in IPL 2026?
Punjab Kings posted 200/8 but Mumbai Indians chased the target down with one ball to spare. Tilak Varma's unbeaten 75 anchored the chase, with Ryan Rickelton providing a fast start of 48 off 23 balls.
What tactical error did Bangar identify in Punjab's loss to MI?
Bangar pointed out that captain Shreyas Iyer used only five bowlers, leaving Bartlett exposed to targeting at the death. He noted that Chahal and Arshdeep had bowled well but the overall strategy allowed Mumbai to seize control late in the innings.
What is Punjab Kings' current situation in IPL 2026?
Punjab Kings have lost five consecutive matches and are in a must-win situation against table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru if they are to remain in contention for a playoff spot.
Who starred in Mumbai Indians' chase against Punjab Kings?
Tilak Varma was the standout performer, scoring an unbeaten 75 to guide Mumbai Indians home. Ryan Rickelton also contributed 48 off 23 balls at the top of the order to set up the chase.
