Punjab Kings Players wear black armband vs SRH (Source: AP)
Punjab Kings will take on a high-flying Sunrisers Hyderabad in a riveting IPL 2026 clash at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium, as the franchise will aim to retain their position as the table toppers in the points table.
The PBKS captain, Shreyas Iyer, won the toss and elected to bowl first, inviting the home team to bat. The Kings would like to contain an extremely aggressive batting contingent. Amidst the critical IPL 2026 game, Punjab Kings players were spotted wearing black armbands.
That being said, in this article, let’s explore the reason behind the move.
Why are PBKS players wearing black armbands vs SRH?
It is worth noting that on Wednesday, May 6, the cricket fraternity, especially in the Punjab region, was struck by the untimely demise of Amanpreet Singh Gill at just 36.
Thus, the PBKS players are wearing black armbands today as a mark of respect following the sudden passing away of the former Punjab cricketer and former Senior Selection Committee member Amanpreet Singh Gill.
Also read: Yuvraj Singh Shames Shubman Gill, Abhishek Sharma; Shows Off Rishabh Pant’s Gift
Punjab Cricket Association mourned his passing away with a heartfelt social media post, thanking him for his services with dedication and passion, representing teams including India Under-19s, Kings XI Punjab and Punjab.
In 2009, he secured his first and only IPL contract with the Kings XI Punjab (Now Punjab Kings) and was part of the team till 2010 season, where he shared dressing room with great players like Yuvraj Singh, Mahela Jayawardene, Brett Lee, and many more.
SRH vs PBKS Match 49: A high-octane clash between teams with contrasting fortunes
Table-toppers PBKS are looking for a win after suffering two consecutive defeats. Their batting faltered in the previous match against Gujarat Titans, eventually exposing their bowling struggles.
On the other hand, SRH too saw their five-match winning run being broken in the previous game against Kolkata Knight Riders. The Pat Cummins-led side is at third spot in the points table.
Shreyas Iyer’s PBKS aim for maiden IPL title after a near miss in 2025
Last year’s finalists Punjab Kings, have been in brilliant form this season. A washout in Kolkata and a couple of rare blips have been their only dropped points this season as PBKS needs just three more to hit the magic mark.
Shreyas Iyer’s men are also in the running to break the record for most points in the IPL group stages, 20, in the current 70-game format. PBKS have made the IPL playoffs thrice and the final twice.
Lastly, Punjab Kings need only two victories from their remaining five matches to reach 17 points and guarantee progression. Their healthy net run rate of plus 0.855 acts as a significant cushion against their closest rivals. Even a single win might suffice if other results align in their favour during the final week.
Follow SRH vs PBKS Live Updates For Each And Every Detail Of The High-Octane IPL 2026 Clash
