Punjab Kings and co-owner Preity Zinta have broken their silence amid growing social media controversy surrounding the franchise, issuing a sharp warning against the spread of “fake stories” and “made-up narratives” during the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
The franchise released an official statement late Tuesday night after several rumours and online discussions linked players and team matters to off-field controversies. While Punjab Kings did not directly mention any individual incident, the statement strongly criticised the circulation of unverified information for “attention or traction.”
PBKS Deletes Original Statement, Posts Edited Version
Punjab Kings initially posted a stronger version of the statement on social media, specifically calling out “sports journalists” while urging people to verify facts before spreading misinformation.
“Criticism, banter, and opinions are part of sport. Fake stories and made-up narratives for cheap engagement are not,” the original post stated.
However, the franchise later deleted the post and uploaded a revised version that removed the phrase “sports journalists,” seemingly to avoid escalating the controversy further online.
The updated statement instead appealed broadly to everyone to avoid amplifying unverified claims.
Preity Zinta Slams ‘Calculated Misinformation’
Before the original statement was deleted, Preity Zinta reacted publicly and strongly condemned what she described as a deliberate attempt to damage individuals, the team, and the PBKS brand.
“There’s a difference between criticism and calculated misinformation,” Zinta wrote on social media, adding that healthy sporting debate is welcome but fake narratives targeting the franchise “will not be taken lightly.”
Her reaction quickly gained traction among IPL fans, with many supporting the franchise’s stand against online rumours and speculative reporting.
Punjab Kings Facing Pressure On and Off the Field
The controversy comes during a difficult phase for Punjab Kings in IPL 2026. After beginning the season unbeaten in their first seven matches, the team has now suffered four consecutive defeats, putting pressure on their playoff hopes.
At the same time, social media discussions involving Yuzvendra Chahal and opener Prabhsimran Singh have added to the noise around the franchise.
A video allegedly showing Chahal vaping on a flight recently went viral online, while conversations about Prabhsimran’s fitness and reported weight gain also triggered intense fan debate across social platforms.
PBKS Still Strongly Placed in Playoff Race
Despite the recent setbacks, Punjab Kings remain firmly in the IPL 2026 playoff race. The team currently sits fourth on the points table with 13 points and still controls its qualification chances.
Upcoming matches against Mumbai Indians, Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Lucknow Super Giants are expected to play a crucial role in determining their season.
For now, however, PBKS appear focused not only on reviving their campaign on the field but also on pushing back against what they see as damaging misinformation off it.
