New Delhi, April 15 (NationPress) Aaron Finch, the captain of Australia during their triumphant 2021 Men’s T20 World Cup campaign, has highlighted that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) remaining undefeated in IPL 2026, even with Arshdeep Singh not securing any power play wickets, is indeed a positive indicator for the team. He emphasized that if their key strike bowler has yet to shine but the team is still achieving comfortable victories, it significantly boosts their morale.

Currently, PBKS stands as the only unbeaten team in IPL 2026, and they will look to prolong their winning streak against the Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium this Thursday evening. Arshdeep managed to take two wickets in PBKS's recent victory over Sunrisers Hyderabad in New Chandigarh last week; however, his difficulties with the new ball are evident.

To date, he has given away 33 runs in the powerplay without claiming a single wicket in this six-over segment this season. Furthermore, Arshdeep has not taken a powerplay wicket in his last 10 IPL innings. The upcoming contest against MI's openers, excluding Rohit Sharma, promises to be intriguing.

"I think this situation is quite similar for Arshdeep. Yes, he hasn't taken any power play wickets. To me, that signifies a positive trend for the Kings because if Arshdeep isn't delivering in the power play yet they continue to win comfortably and set the standard in this tournament, it's a fantastic sign," Finch remarked during a virtual meeting with IANS, representing ESPNcricinfo, amid TATA IPL 2026 Rivalry Week.

He also noted that Arshdeep seems to have strayed from the inswinger that once made him a formidable threat early in his IPL journey. "One reason for his current form could be that he has lost his ability to bowl the inswinger to right-handed batsmen as effectively as he once did. When you recall his early days, he was proficient at swinging the ball both ways.

“This variety leads to lbw and bowled dismissals, keeping batsmen guessing since he's not just swinging in one direction. Currently, he seems to be leaning more towards his outswinger for right-handers, which appears to me as a more defensive approach."

“It might be due to technical aspects or something discussed within the bowling group. To get the specifics, you would need to inquire further. However, I believe it’s a promising sign that they are still winning matches while their primary weapon has yet to perform in the power play – that would instill immense confidence in me as a captain," he added.

Turning to the batting prowess of PBKS, Finch expressed admiration for how the team has continued from last year's performance. Openers Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya have forged two fifty-plus partnerships in just three matches this season. Their aggressive starts have been pivotal to PBKS's batting success since last season.

Captain Shreyas Iyer has been a standout in the middle overs, showcasing a high scoring rate, as evidenced by his unbeaten 69 off just 33 balls against SRH. "They possess a top-quality batting line-up. Each player has clearly defined roles, which is essential in T20 cricket.

“When forming a squad, you want players to excel in the roles they are most suited for. While some adjustments might be necessary occasionally, you ideally don’t want multiple top-order players batting in the middle order. Their clarity in roles has been impressive.

"Prabhsimran and Priyansh at the top have been exceptional. Their capacity to apply pressure on opposing teams right from the start is commendable. Young talent in the league is increasingly able to strike from the very first ball, effectively disrupting the strategies of rival bowling attacks and captains," he noted.

Finch further commented that PBKS's aggressive strategy at the top is not merely a result of individual talent but also stems from the supportive environment fostered by the team's leadership, particularly Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. "It’s encouraging to see their proactive approach, and I believe Shreyas and Ricky are significant contributors to this dynamic. It’s not just about having the right players.

“It’s equally about empowering them to execute their skills effectively. T20 is an unpredictable game. Some days, everything aligns perfectly, while other times, you might face a few setbacks. This unpredictability is inherent in high-risk sports. Thus, having clear guidance and support from the top is crucial," he concluded.