Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh appeared to push back against social media speculation surrounding his fitness after sharing a shirtless picture on Instagram, a post that quickly sparked fresh buzz among fans.
The post came amid unverified claims circulating online that the batter had gained 10 kilograms in body weight during the recent break.
Social media chatter had also suggested that some Punjab Kings players had become complacent, with allegations of skipped training sessions and missed flights being linked to the team’s recent slump. However, none of those claims have been independently verified.
PRABHSIMRAN OUT OF FORM?
Prabhsimran Singh has been Punjab Kings’ second-highest run-scorer this season, amassing 382 runs in 10 innings at an average of 42.44 and a strike rate of 169.02, including four half-centuries. Only Australian youngster Cooper Connolly has scored more for PBKS, with 415 runs in 10 innings at an average of 51.87 and a strike rate of 168.01, including one century and two fifties.
However, Prabhsimran has endured a lean patch in recent matches, managing scores of 18 against Delhi Capitals, 3 against Sunrisers Hyderabad and 15 against Gujarat Titans.
His dip in form, coupled with a slowdown in the explosive opening partnership with Priyansh Arya, has coincided with Punjab Kings’ mid-season slump, with the side losing four matches in a row after beginning the campaign with a seven-match unbeaten run that included six wins and one no result.
PBKS HIT BACK AT SOCIAL MEDIA CRITICS
Earlier, the franchise co-owner Preity Zinta called for “verified voices and media professionals” to “exercise responsibility” and not spread misinformation. Zinta’s post comes after PBKS lost to Delhi Capitals (DC) on Monday, marking their fourth loss in a row after a seven-match unbeaten run which spanned six wins and a no result.
Amid this slump, there have been media reports about a lack of discipline, be it off the field or while training, on the part of players. Quashing these reports and claims, Zinta warned that the “deliberate spreading of fake narratives about the team and its players will not be taken lightly”.
“There’s a difference between criticism & calculated misinformation. Healthy debate around the game is welcome, but the deliberate spread of fake narratives to damage individuals, the team, or the brand should not & will not be taken lightly. I urge everyone including verified voices & media professionals, to exercise responsibility before amplifying unverified information. Thank you,” posted Zinta on her official X handle.
With Punjab Kings still in the thick of the play-off race, attention will now shift back to whether the team can arrest its slide on the field, while the off-field noise continues to grow around the franchise.
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