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Punjab Kings' social media controversy: Explaining how PBKS' edited X post led to social media furore originally appeared on Cricket News. Add Cricket News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
KEY TAKEAWAYS:
- PBKS posted, edited, and reposted a statement pushing back against misinformation.
- Co-owner Preity Zinta warned against fake narratives harming his players and team.
- Four straight defeats have dented Punjab's strong start of six wins in seven.
Punjab Kings take on 'calculated misinformation' to defend Prabhsimran Singh & Yuzvendra Chahal
Punjab Kings put out an official statement on social media pushing back against a wave of rumours swirling around the team, especially Prabhsimran Singh & Yuzvendra Chahal.
It was not long ago that Punjab looked like one of the most compelling teams in the competition. They went through their first seven matches without a single defeat, six wins and one game abandoned due to rain.
That momentum, however, has hit a wall. Four losses on the trot have dragged them back into uncertainty, and the playoff picture that once looked straightforward now requires them to win the games that matter most.
The results alone would have been enough to deal with, but Punjab have also had to manage unwanted attention off the field. Chahal found himself at the centre of controversy after a video claiming to show him vaping on a plane began doing the rounds.
Just a few days later, Prabhsimran Singh became a talking point when a journalist claimed that "he has gained 10 kgs in recent weeks. The players have become laxed. They play games till the morning and avoid going to practice sessions. Players are missing flights, losing games."
MORE: IPL 2026: Preity Zinta slams 'calculated misinformation' surrounding Chahal and Prabhsimran as PBKS issue statement
How did PBKS and Preity Zinta respond to the claims?
With the chatter refusing to die down, PBKS decided to speak. Their first post on X called out the spread of fake stories and took a direct swipe at those labelled "sports journalists," urging them specifically to verify information before putting it out.
"Criticism, banter, and opinions are part of sport. Fake stories and made-up narratives for cheap engagement are not. We urge everyone, especially “sports journalists", to verify facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction," PBKS posted on X earlier.
The line landed hard, perhaps too hard, because the franchise deleted the post shortly after and replaced it with a softer version that dropped the reference to journalists entirely.
"Criticism, banter, and opinions are part of sport. Fake stories and made-up narratives for cheap engagement are not. We urge everyone to verify facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction," the updated post read.
MORE: PBKS IPL 2026 playoff chances: Qualification scenarios, wins and points required
Before the original post disappeared, co-owner Preity Zinta had already responded to it.
She wrote: "There’s a difference between criticism & calculated misinformation. Healthy debate around the game is welcome, but the deliberate spread of fake narratives to damage individuals, the team, or the brand should not & will not be taken lightly. I urge everyone, including verified voices & media professionals, to exercise responsibility before amplifying unverified information. Thank you."
MORE: ‘Very sensitive to criticism’: Sanjay Manjrekar on Virat Kohli
The Cricket News Opinion: PBKS should own their words and then win some matches
The decision to edit out "sports journalists" from the original post is curious. If the franchise felt strongly enough to say it, walking it back within minutes looks less like caution and more like hesitation.
Punjab's best response to all of this noise, though, is simple: win cricket matches. Silence is louder when it comes with results.
PBKS sit fourth in the standings with 13 points. Two wins from their remaining matches would confirm a second consecutive playoff berth. Their remaining games are against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru, and Lucknow Super Giants.
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