Punjab Kings (PBKS) are facing significant challenges in IPL 2026, having lost three matches in a row. Captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting have raised alarms about the team's fielding, which Ponting described as a 'virus.' Ravichandran Ashwin, a former PBKS captain, analyzed the situation and pointed to the uneven bounce at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad as a key issue affecting fielding performance. He highlighted specific instances, such as Australian player Cooper Connolly's dropped catch and wicket-keeper Prabhsimran Singh's missed stumping, as evidence of the difficulties players are facing. Ashwin remarked that Connolly seemed caught off guard by the ball's bounce, which has been inconsistent during matches. Additionally, Shashank Singh has been under scrutiny for multiple fielding errors this season, further compounding the team's struggles. The combination of these factors has left PBKS in a precarious position as they seek to improve their performance.