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Ex-India offspinner Ravichandran Ashwin has lashed out at Punjab Kings' venue changes throughout the ongoing IPL 2026. According to Ashwin, shifting their base from Mullanpur to Dharamsala was one of the primary reasons for Punjab Kings' string of losses.

The Kings began their IPL 2026 campaign in a dominant fashion, going unbeaten in their opening seven games. They have now endured a spate of five consecutive losses, placing their playoff chances in serious doubt.

Ashwin stated that successful IPL teams play all their home matches at a single venue and know the conditions better than their visitors.

Ashwin questioned:

"Consider this perspective. Out of nineteen seasons, the three most decorated clubs hold thirteen trophies between them. Add another two from Hyderabad. Have any of these franchises ever shifted their home base?"

He then narrated a similar experience he had at the same franchise when he was their skipper. Ashwin believes that switching home grounds during a critical juncture in the tournament, "unnecessariily complicates things".

Ashwin said:

"People judge from the boundary ropes, but having occupied that dressing room, I can confirm this strategy is flawed. We previously won five games in Mohali before a venue change caused our elimination."

Ashwin highlighted that the conditions at Dharamsala are starkly different from those at Mullanpur, which makes it difficult for the batters.

Ashwin added:

"They are currently operating away from Mullanpur. In Dharamsala, setting a target is complicated because the ball keeps relatively low early on, requiring significant time to read the surface correctly."

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PBKS will have a hard job ahead in the race for the playoffs under Shreyas Iyer. The batting lineup has not performed well in the recent matches particularly in the powerplay overs.

Ashwin believes that the team is losing crucial runs as they try to learn the conditions and pitch.

"The team is falling short by twenty to forty runs simply because they are forced to adjust. It is lazy to say they are just struggling. They played successive matches away from their primary home."

Ashwin also raised questions about how some of the teams have to change venues but other teams continue to play all the matches at their home ground. As the league stage approaches to its end, the PBKS fans would be looking for some recovery to keep their playoff hopes alive.