Arshdeep Singh has deleted more than 200 Instagram posts after Punjab Kings crashed out of IPL 2026, with the fast bowler facing trolling online following the team’s disappointing campaign.

The Indian pacer also changed his profile picture, triggering speculation among fans and cricket followers late Monday evening. While no official statement has been issued by Arshdeep Singh regarding the move, social media users noticed that only a limited number of posts now remain visible on his account.

Sudden Instagram Cleanup

As of Tuesday morning, Arshdeep’s Instagram profile showed only around 40 posts, a sharp drop from his earlier activity archive that included match photos, promotional content and personal reels.

Among the deleted content was a widely shared reel featuring Indian batter Virat Kohli. In the clip, recorded after a Champions Trophy fixture earlier this year, Arshdeep jokingly told Kohli that he could have scored a third consecutive century had the target been bigger. The reel had reportedly crossed 15 million views on social media platforms.

The timing of the deletions has drawn attention because it comes just days after Punjab Kings failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs.

Fans Targeted Player

Punjab Kings endured another inconsistent season despite a promising start. Arshdeep, one of the team’s leading bowlers over the last few years, struggled to maintain control during the latter half of the tournament.

The left-arm pacer picked up 14 wickets in 14 matches but conceded runs at an economy rate above 10. Several fans criticised his performances online after Punjab’s elimination became official.

Screenshots of comments and memes targeting the pacer circulated widely across X and Instagram through Monday night. Some supporters also questioned the team’s bowling strategy and death-over execution during crucial games.

However, there is still no confirmation that the trolling alone prompted the deletion of posts.

Earlier Videos Triggered Debate

Two separate social media videos involving Arshdeep had already generated discussion during the IPL season.

In one live-stream clip, spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was allegedly seen using an e-cigarette. The video spread quickly online before being removed from several accounts.

Another video featuring Mumbai Indians batter Tilak Varma sparked stronger reactions. In the clip, Arshdeep was heard jokingly asking Tilak whether he had applied sunscreen, while referring to him as “andhera” in Hindi.

Former India spinner Laxman Sivaramakrishnan criticised the remark publicly and described it as racially insensitive. The incident triggered debate across cricket circles and social media platforms, with users divided over whether the comment was harmless banter or inappropriate language.

BCCI Guidelines Discussed

Around the same time, reports emerged that the BCCI had reiterated social media guidelines for IPL franchises and players. According to media reports citing sources familiar with team discussions, Punjab Kings management was expected to advise players to avoid uploading informal behind-the-scenes content from personal accounts.

There were also indications that player-related videos and dressing-room material would increasingly be routed through official franchise handles instead of individual profiles.

Neither the BCCI nor Punjab Kings has issued a direct statement linking those guidelines to Arshdeep Singh’s recent Instagram activity.

Questions Over Form

The developments have added to scrutiny around Arshdeep’s recent performances. Once seen as one of India’s most dependable death bowlers in T20 cricket, the 27-year-old has faced growing pressure after an inconsistent IPL campaign.

Despite flashes of rhythm in a few matches, Punjab Kings struggled collectively with bowling execution in crunch moments. Their inability to close games ultimately hurt their playoff hopes.

For now, the reason behind the large-scale deletion of Arshdeep Singh’s Instagram posts remains unclear. But with fan reactions intensifying after Punjab Kings’ early exit, the discussion around players, online pressure and social media conduct in modern cricket is unlikely to fade anytime soon.