Sachin Reveals the Real Reason Behind Punjab’s Downfall

Royal Challengers Bangalore, led by Rajat Patidar, emerged as the champions of IPL 2026, defeating Gujarat Titans in the final to secure their second consecutive title. Gujarat finished as runners-up, while Rajasthan Royals were eliminated in Qualifier 2 and Sunrisers Hyderabad exited in the Eliminator. Meanwhile, Punjab Kings had a surprising end to their campaign, finishing fifth under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer despite winning their last league match.

Analyzing their downfall, cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar stated that Punjab started the season with aggressive and positive cricket, remaining unbeaten in their first seven matches. However, they lost momentum in the second half, suffering six consecutive defeats. Tendulkar emphasized that in long tournaments like the IPL, teams should focus on their playing approach rather than results. Punjab shifted its focus to outcomes under pressure, which ultimately led to their elimination.