Preity Zinta Urges Media to Avoid Misinformation Amid Punjab Kings' Struggles

As the Punjab Kings face a challenging mid-season with four consecutive losses, co-owner Preity Zinta has called on media professionals to act responsibly and avoid spreading misinformation. Following a series of defeats, Zinta emphasized the importance of distinguishing between constructive criticism and harmful narratives. The franchise echoed her sentiments, urging the public to verify facts before sharing information. With their recent performance raising concerns, the Kings are now focused on their upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians, which is crucial for their playoff hopes. Read on to discover more about the team's current situation and Zinta's passionate plea.

By Narendra Chaudhary May 13, 2026, 08:39 IST

Preity Zinta Calls for Responsible Reporting

Chandigarh (Punjab) [India] - On May 13, amid a challenging phase for the Punjab Kings (PBKS), co-owner Preity Zinta appealed to media professionals and verified voices to act responsibly and refrain from disseminating false information. This statement follows PBKS's recent defeat to the Delhi Capitals (DC), marking their fourth consecutive loss after a promising unbeaten streak of seven matches, which included six victories and one no result.

In light of these setbacks, various media outlets have reported on alleged disciplinary issues among players, both on and off the field. Zinta firmly rejected these claims, emphasizing that the intentional spread of misleading narratives about the team and its members would not be tolerated.

She stated, "There’s a distinction between constructive criticism and intentional misinformation. While healthy discussions about the game are encouraged, the deliberate propagation of false narratives aimed at harming individuals, the team, or the brand will not be overlooked. I urge everyone, including verified voices and media professionals, to verify information before sharing it. Thank you," she posted on her official X account.

Punjab Kings' Official Statement

In a similar vein, PBKS released a statement urging the public to "verify facts before sharing misinformation for attention or engagement." They added, "Criticism, banter, and opinions are integral to sports. However, fabricated stories and false narratives for cheap engagement are unacceptable. We encourage everyone to confirm facts before spreading misinformation for attention or traction."

Recent Performance and Upcoming Challenges

The last four matches have been particularly disappointing for PBKS, especially in terms of their bowling performance. In their encounter against the Rajasthan Royals (RR) at Mullanpur, they failed to defend a target of 223 runs. Following that, their batting faltered against the Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad, where they managed only 163 runs, allowing their opponents to chase it down with four wickets remaining. Their struggles continued against the Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH), where they fell short by 33 runs while chasing 236, finishing at 202/7. Once again, their inability to defend a total of 210/5 against the Delhi Capitals (DC) highlighted their ongoing issues.

In these recent defeats, dropped catches, poor fielding, and high bowling economy rates have significantly contributed to their struggles. Once leading the table, PBKS now sits in fourth place with six wins, four losses, and one no result, totaling 13 points.

Their upcoming match against the Mumbai Indians (MI) at Dharamsala is crucial for maintaining their position in the top four. With the five-time champions now out of contention, the 2025 runners-up will be eager to ensure that the lower-ranked teams do not further jeopardize their campaign.