Virender Sehwag takes a brutal dig at Punjab Kings, blames franchise for his dip in form

Indian batting legend Virender Sehwag took a dig at the Punjab Kings (PBKS) during the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL), suggesting that franchise was responsible for his dip in form towards the end of his playing career.

PBKS, going by the name of Kings XI Punjab until February 2021, are among the three franchises that have been part of the IPL since its inception in 2008 to have never won the tournament even once. And if Sehwag's latest comments are to be believed, their status as one of IPL's worst performers of all time might have something to do with the culture within the franchise.

"Jab mein Punjab mein gaya tab mera strike rate gir gaya. Woh kehte hai na ke jaisi sangati waisa behave karte ho. Toh waha ki sangati waisi hi thi. Jeet te the nahi, khel te acha the nahi, toh mera game aur thoda kharab ho gaya (When I went to Punjab, my strike rate went down. There's a saying you behave like your company. Same was the case. They did not win anything or played well)," Sehwag said while commentating on the Punjab's away fixture against Royal Challengers Bengaluru, which they ended up losing by four wickets.

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The legendary opener, one of India's greatest batters of all time, had represented Delhi Capitals (formerly Daredevils) for six seasons between 2008 and 2013 — captaining the side in four of those seasons. He would then represent Punjab for two seasons in 2014 and 2015 after getting released by Delhi.

Sehwag had a decent run with them in 2014, the season in which Punjab made their only appearance in the IPL final, collecting 455 runs at an average of 26.76 and a strike rate of 144.44 and smashing a 58-ball 122 against Chennai Super Kings along the way.

The Delhiite, however, would go through his worst run in an IPL season the following year, collecting just 99 runs in eight appearances at an abysmal average of 12.37 and collecting just three sixes in the entire season.