Punjab Kings (PBKS) looked like the team to beat in the first half of IPL 2026, winning six of their first seven matches and playing with the confidence of genuine title contenders. But the momentum has disappeared quickly for the Shreyas Iyer-led side, who slumped to a fifth straight defeat after losing to Mumbai Indians (MI) in Dharamshala on Thursday. In the five defeats, PBKS’s opening stand of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh has made 171 runs at an average of 34.2. (ANI Photo) PBKS ’ downturn has coincided with the drop in impact from Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh at the top. During those six wins, the opening pair made 323 runs at an average of 53.8, including a 126-run stand against Delhi Capitals ( DC ), 99 against Sunrisers Hyderabad ( SRH ) and 61 against Chennai Super Kings . In the five defeats, though, they have scored 171 runs at an average of 34.2. Against Gujarat Titans ( GT ) and SRH, PBKS were reduced to 2/2 and 4/2 in the powerplay.…