IPL 2026: ‘Why change home venues?’ - Ravichandran Ashwin questions Punjab Kings owners

Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin expressed concern over the difficult phase endured by Punjab Kings during the ongoing Indian Premier League season. After remaining unbeaten in seven consecutive matches, PBKS suffered a dramatic slump, losing five games in a row. Two of those defeats came at Dharamsala, which serves as the franchise’s secondary home venue.

Ashwin strongly criticised the franchise’s decision to split home matches across two venues. He questioned why Punjab continued with a dual-home model while established IPL teams such as Mumbai Indians, Chennai Super Kings, Kolkata Knight Riders, and Sunrisers Hyderabad consistently play all their home matches at a single stadium. Ashwin suggested that constantly shifting venues could affect team rhythm, familiarity with conditions and overall momentum during a long tournament campaign.

"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 on his YouTube channel.

"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.

PBKS now find themselves in a must-win situation, needing victories in both of their remaining league matches to secure a place in the IPL 2026 playoffs. However, one of those crucial fixtures is set to be played in Dharamsala, their secondary home venue. Ashwin believes the frequent venue shift has contributed to the team’s dip in form. According to Ashwin, the Shreyas Iyer-led side has struggled to adapt quickly to changing conditions, especially after moving away from their primary home ground.

"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,” said Ashwin.

"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 added.