Regarding the England players’ withdrawal from the IPL prior to the playoffs, PBKS coach Sanjay Bangar stated that the ECB had informed them that they would be available for the entire season. Bangar stated that the season’s eventual extension was the cause of the early departure. Prior to their last match against SRH, PBKS had lost six of their eight international players.
 
While Kagiso Rabada returned home due to an injury, others, like Liam Livingstone, Chris Woakes, Jonny Bairstow, and Sam Curran, did so to get ready for the Pakistan series.

Thus, for the last match against SRH, they started Rilee Rossouw as their lone international player. In the end, they would lose by four wickets.

Speaking at the press conference following the game, Bangar claimed that although the ECB had informed them before the auction that the players would be present for the entire IPL, the prolonged season damaged them.
 
“The England and Wales Cricket Board, or ECB, had made it apparent that every player would be available when we got to the auction. It is only that, for a variety of reasons, the tournament was, as I would say, rather prolonged. Although everyone was in a similar situation, Bangar stated, We lost those English players.”

Before the playoffs, Jos Buttler and Phil Salt would also leave RR and KKR. 
Bangar continued by saying that although losing international players had an impact on them, it wasn’t the only factor in their disappointing season.

Punjab Kings finished second last on the points table after their loss against SRH.

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