Aakash Chopra opens up on PBKS’ playoff prospects after IPL 2026 loss vs DC

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra reckons Punjab Kings’ playoffs qualification has got tricky after they suffered a three-wicket loss against Delhi Capitals at Dharamshala on Monday. PBKS have lost their last four games to veer off the track at this crucial phase of the tournament.

Shreyas Iyers’ team will next take on Mumbai Indians and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. MI have been knocked out of the tournament but Chopra said PBKS can’t take the five-time champions lightly. Furthermore, RCB have had their wood on PBKS in the past.

“I thought they would win against DC, but they didn’t. If we check their qualification scenarios, they have a game against MI here only at the Dharamsala ground. You will fancy your chances, but it is MI. Don’t assume you would beat them,” Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

“You don’t do well against RCB. That’s your concern. If any team has a wood over you, that’s RCB, and that’s your second game at the same ground. You will play the third game against the Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium,” he added.

Chopra highlighted that the Mohali-based franchise will need to win at least two out of their next three games to make it to the last four.

“You will have to win two of the three matches because the wagon has gotten stuck on 13 points. You can still reach 19 points, which would mean you might qualify in the top two. However, you might drop one of the three matches. It could be the RCB or the MI game. If they lose both, they might not even qualify. You have lost four consecutive games now,” he observed.

Chopra noted that PBKS’ trump card Yuzvendra Chahal is almost useless in Dharamshala as Iyer didn’t even bowl him against Delhi Capitals.

“Secondly, your trump card is rendered useless on this ground. You have a trump card named Yuzi Chahal, but when you see the conditions, neither the opposing team nor you bowl spin. The guy didn’t bowl at all. If you are going to play in such conditions, your trump card won’t work,” he said.

Punjab Kings will next take on Mumbai Indians at Dharamshala on Thursday.