Arshdeep Singh release won't fix PBKS bowling woes, says Aakash Chopra
Synopsis
Aakash Chopra has put a sharp counter-argument on the table: Punjab Kings' bowling is already their weak link, so trading away Arshdeep Singh without a proven replacement would make things worse, not better. His proposal — swap a lower-middle-order batter with Gujarat Titans for a frontline pacer — highlights how rare quality Indian T20 resources have become.
Key Takeaways
Aakash Chopra warned that releasing Arshdeep Singh would not strengthen Punjab Kings' bowling ahead of IPL 2027 .
Arshdeep took 21 wickets in 17 matches in IPL 2025 and 14 wickets in 14 matches in the following season.
Reports link Arshdeep to a possible move to Mumbai Indians as part of a Hardik Pandya trade deal.
Chopra recommended PBKS open trade talks with Gujarat Titans , offering a lower-middle-order batter in exchange for a pace bowler.
Potential names in a PBKS-GT swap include Nehal Wadhera , Shashank Singh , or Suryansh Shedge going out, and Ashok Sharma or Gurnoor Brar coming in.
Former India opener Aakash Chopra has argued that releasing Arshdeep Singh would do little to address Punjab Kings' (PBKS) most persistent weakness — their bowling department — ahead of the IPL 2027 auction cycle. Speaking on JioStar, Chopra said the franchise risks compounding its problems if it lets go of its most productive pacer without securing adequate replacements.
The Case For Keeping Arshdeep
Chopra pointed to Arshdeep's consistent wicket-taking record as the core of his argument. Arshdeep Singh claimed 21 wickets in 17 matches in the 2025 IPL season at an economy of 8.9, followed by 14 wickets in 14 matches in the most recent edition — albeit at an economy rate above 10. Chopra noted that in the current T20 landscape, where 200-plus totals have become the norm, an economy of 10 remains broadly acceptable for a frontline seamer.
'If you have made up your mind to let go of Arshdeep, then you're not addressing that problem. You're not strengthening that department,' Chopra said. 'Bowling is still their weaker suit.'
The Hardik-Arshdeep Trade Rumour
Reports surfaced on 3 November suggesting that PBKS are among the front-runners to acquire Hardik Pandya's services, with Arshdeep potentially moving to Mumbai Indians (MI) as part of a trade arrangement. Arshdeep has been with PBKS since IPL 2019, and his performances for the franchise laid the foundation for his rise into the Indian national team. Any departure would mark the end of a seven-year association.
Chopra's Gujarat Titans Solution
Rather than simply releasing Arshdeep, Chopra suggested PBKS explore a targeted trade with Gujarat Titans (GT) — the 2022 IPL champions — who he described as a 'factory of fast bowlers.' GT's pace arsenal reportedly includes the likes of Ashok Sharma and Gurnoor Brar, among others, giving them the depth to part with a bowler without weakening their core.
In return, Chopra proposed PBKS offer one of their highly valued lower-middle-order Indian batters — a category he described as a 'rare commodity' across the league. Names floated included Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Suryansh Shedge. 'A lower-middle-order Indian batter is a rare commodity. It's just Rizvi, Ashutosh Sharma, Shashank Singh. Where do you get them easily?' Chopra said, reinforcing the logic behind such a swap.
The Bigger Picture for PBKS
This comes amid broader uncertainty around PBKS's squad strategy heading into the IPL 2027 retention and auction window. The franchise has historically struggled to build a balanced attack, and Chopra's remarks reflect a wider concern that the Pandya trade — if it materialises — could leave PBKS bowling-light. With the auction period approaching, how Punjab Kings navigate these roster decisions will likely define their competitiveness next season.
Point of View
And right now it isn't. The Hardik Pandya allure is understandable — an all-rounder of his calibre changes the balance of any squad — but acquiring him at the cost of Arshdeep would be a lateral move at best and a net regression at worst. The Gujarat Titans trade idea is elegant precisely because it leverages PBKS's genuine surplus — quality Indian middle-order batters — against a market inefficiency GT can address. If PBKS's management ignores this logic in favour of star-power optics, they may find themselves with a bigger name and a weaker attack in IPL 2027.
NationPress
9 Nov 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does Aakash Chopra think PBKS should not release Arshdeep Singh?
Chopra argues that bowling is already Punjab Kings' weaker department, and releasing Arshdeep would remove their most productive pacer without solving the underlying problem. He pointed to Arshdeep's haul of 21 wickets in 17 matches in IPL 2025 as evidence of his consistent value.
What is the Hardik Pandya-Arshdeep Singh trade rumour about?
Reports from 3 November suggest PBKS are front-runners to sign Hardik Pandya, with Arshdeep Singh potentially moving to Mumbai Indians as part of the deal. Arshdeep has been with Punjab Kings since IPL 2019.
Which Gujarat Titans players did Chopra suggest PBKS could target?
Chopra named Ashok Sharma and Gurnoor Brar as potential targets from Gujarat Titans' deep pace-bowling pool. He suggested PBKS offer a lower-middle-order Indian batter — such as Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, or Suryansh Shedge — in exchange.
How has Arshdeep Singh performed in recent IPL seasons?
Arshdeep took 21 wickets in 17 matches in IPL 2025 at an economy of 8.9, and 14 wickets in 14 matches in the following edition at an economy above 10. Chopra noted that in an era where 200-plus totals are common, an economy of 10 is broadly acceptable.
Why does Chopra describe lower-middle-order Indian batters as a rare commodity?
Chopra pointed out that quality lower-middle-order Indian T20 batters — the kind who can bat at positions six, seven, or eight — are scarce across the league. He cited only a handful of names league-wide, arguing this gives PBKS real leverage in any potential trade negotiation.
