Ashwin Questions Punjab Kings' Venue Strategy Amidst IPL Collapse

Ravichandran Ashwin has raised serious questions over Punjab Kings’ decision to split their home matches across two venues in IPL 2026, suggesting the constant shift in conditions has played a major role in the franchise’s dramatic collapse during the second half of the season. Punjab started their campaign strongly and went unbeaten in seven consecutive matches before their momentum completely disappeared. The side has now suffered five defeats in a row, with two of those losses coming at Dharamsala, their secondary home venue. Ashwin believes the move away from Mullanpur disrupted the team’s rhythm at a crucial stage of the tournament. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin pointed out that the IPL’s most successful franchises have always relied on stability by sticking to one primary home venue throughout the season. “Let me ask you a question. KKR, CSK, and MI, the three teams that have won the highest number of trophies-3, 5, and 5-out of the 19 seasons, they have won 13 trophies in total. SRH has won two (Deccan Chargers and SRH). Take it as 15. Have these teams ever changed their home venue?” Ashwin said in the video. The veteran spinner, who has previously represented Punjab in the IPL, said outside criticism often ignores the impact that changing venues can have on a side’s performances and preparation. “Look, we can say from the outside that Punjab aren't doing well, but because I have personally been there, I know it is wrong. We won five matches in Mohali, then we changed venues and got knocked out of the tournament,” he added. Punjab Kings now find themselves under massive pressure heading into the business end of the league stage. The team must win both remaining fixtures to stay alive in the playoff race, but one of those matches is again scheduled to take place in Dharamsala. Ashwin believes the batting group has struggled to quickly adjust to the different nature of the surface at the hill venue, especially while batting first. “So, I am saying that, sure, Punjab have suffered consecutive defeats, but they are not playing in Mullanpur; they are playing in Dharamsala, where the wicket is not that good to bat first on. The ball stays a little low in the first half, so it will take time for them to adapt.” “Their batting order is scoring 30-40 runs fewer, or 20 runs fewer, because they have to adapt. We can all say that Punjab are struggling and have suffered five consecutive defeats, or that 'this is what happens in Punjab'. No, they have played two of those games at a changed home venue,” he said. Ashwin also questioned the logic behind Punjab being one of the few franchises forced to alternate between venues during a season while established teams like Chennai Super Kings, Mumbai Indians, Kolkata Knight Riders and Sunrisers Hyderabad continue to enjoy the consistency of playing all home matches at one ground.