Punjab Kings has made a storming start to IPL 2026, topping the table and going unbeaten in its first six matches of the season.
While the spotlight has largely been on its batting line-up, which has set the tournament alight with blistering displays, the bowling unit has quietly powered the side forward, consistently restricting opponents to below-par scores even at high-scoring venues.
Its pace quartet of Arshdeep Singh, Xavier Bartlett, Marco Jansen, and Vijaykumar Vyshak has been especially impressive, holding its nerve under pressure with a blend of skill, discipline, and smart tactics on batting-friendly tracks.
Each brings different strengths, but the group has shown a strong collective understanding of roles. “I think everyone has different skills. Everyone has a different way of going about it, about bowling in different situations,” Jansen told reporters in a media interaction on Thursday.
“I think we’ve done really well in embracing each and every one’s opinions on how they think would be best to go about things. We back each other,” he added. “We understand and we support one another in whatever way they feel is the best way for them to do a good job for the team.”
Jansen’s role with Punjab Kings is somewhat unfamiliar. The South African, who usually takes the new ball for his country, has largely operated as a first-change bowler, with Arshdeep and Bartlett opening the attack. He understands the shift is in service of the team’s balance.
“I’m used to taking the first or the second over, but I also know that I do have the skills to adapt to any situation or any particular time in the match, to come in and do a job for the team. Obviously, as a swing bowler or someone who’s used to bowling with the new ball, you do have a weapon in your hand as well. Coming in in the third or fourth or sometimes fifth over is definitely a different approach,” said the 25-year-old.
“At the same time, I also realise that and understand that I have different attributes, different skills that I bring to the bowling unit and to the table. In this bowling unit, everyone knows that wherever we bowl, there’s a plan, there’s a reason. It’s not a case of them believing I can’t do a good job bowling the first or second over with the new ball. It’s a case of asking how we’re going to bowl well as a unit.”
Punjab Kings’ bowling has particularly excelled in the second half of innings. It has been effective at restricting sides in the last 10 overs, operating at the third-lowest economy rate in this phase (9.34). Its economy in the final four overs (9.92) is equally impressive, especially at a stage when bowlers are typically under the pump.
A defining feature of this phase has been the variety of change-ups, including wide yorkers and slower bouncers, aimed at limiting scoring options. Jansen says the approach is built around using the protection of boundary fielders to execute specific plans.
“We’re always assessing and thinking of ways to stop the opposition from scoring, and obviously make it as hard as possible for them to score runs, especially at the death.”
“In the PowqerPlay, you only have two fielders out. At the death and in the middle overs, you have five fielders out, so it makes it a bit easier for us as a bowling unit to sort of bowl towards a certain plan, if it makes sense, when there’s more fielders out to help you take wickets,” he explained. “I think it’s just about how do we, if the opposition is batting well, stop them from scoring? And if we’re on top, how do we stop them from scoring?”
“So it’s quite difficult to set a particular plan for all the batters. It’s just about trying to be smart and just basically keeping them on their toes. You always have to make the batter think twice or guess what the next ball is going to be.”
Empowering the bowlers to execute these plans is PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer, whom Jansen describes as “goal-driven” and “headstrong.” He praised Shreyas’ leadership, saying, “It’s nice to play under his captaincy. He’s up for discussions and is always welcoming. It never feels like a dictatorship, everyone feels valued and welcomed.”
“As a player, it’s very, very nice to have a captain like that, where you feel you can go to the captain and you can express or speak about certain things about the game,” Jansen continued. “He’ll also give his advice and his two cents about it as well. And then he’ll formulate a plan with you to help you get better if need be and to take the team forward, which is nice.”
Published on Apr 24, 2026