![Punjab Kings seen with black armbands in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP Photos]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1775907739448_punjabkingsvssrh.jpg?type=hq)
Punjab Kings seen with black armbands in IPL 2026 [Source: AFP Photos]
As the Punjab Kings took on Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 17th fixture of the IPL 2026 season at Chandigarh, the home side was spotted wearing black armbands throughout the game.
PBKS, led by Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and opted to field first. As the players made their way to the ground, they had black armbands on, which led to speculations online.
Punjab Kings pay tribute to accident victims
To put the rumours and speculations to rest, the Punjab Kings released a statement. The franchise confirmed that players wore black armbands as a mark of respect and mourning for victims of a tragic boat accident in Vrindavan.
A boat carrying around 25-30 passengers capsized in the Yamuna River near Keshi Ghat after reportedly colliding with a pontoon structure.
The accident, believed to have been worsened by strong winds, resulted in at least 10-11 deaths, while several others were injured or remain missing.
Hence, Punjab Kings made this gesture because many of the victims were reportedly from Punjab, making the tragedy even more personal for the franchise and its fan base.
In the statement, PBKS expressed support for the grieving families and the affected community, while rescue operations, led by NDRF, SDRF, and local authorities, are still ongoing.
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SRH openers went wild in the powerplay
Meanwhile, the Punjab Kings instantly regretted their decision to bowl first as Sunrisers Hyderabad openers came out all guns blazing.
The opening duo of Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head smashed 105 runs in just 6 overs, one of the most destructive powerplays of the season.
Abhishek Sharma went berserk with a 28-ball 74, hammering 8 sixes and dismantling both pace and spin.
On the other hand, Travis Head played the perfect aggressor’s partner, adding 38 off 23 and keeping the pressure relentless.
By the time wickets fell in quick succession, the damage was already done. SRH had crossed 120 in just over 8 overs. Hyderabad already reached the 200-run mark in 18 overs and will aim to finish high in the final two death overs.
Arshdeep Singh leaked runs for the Punjab Kings
That being said, the biggest letdown for the Punjab Kings was their ace pacer, Arshdeep Singh. He leaked 42 runs in 3 overs, including a 24-run over, which included 4 wide deliveries.
Apart from Arshdeep, Punjab’s bowling unit lacked control, with poor lines and wayward deliveries gifting boundaries. Even experienced options like Yuzvendra Chahal couldn’t slow things down during the initial burst.
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It’s important to note that the Punjab Kings were seated in second place on the points table before entering this contest. SRH, on the other hand, are placed sixth with just a solo victory in 3 games.
Follow PBKS Vs SRH live updates for the thrilling IPL contest in New Chandigarh!
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