The IPL 2025 season has gotten off to a fantastic start for Punjab Kings (PBKS), who have won both of their first games and are now serious candidates for the championship. They recently defeated the Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) by a commanding eight wickets on Tuesday in Lucknow.
The team made the 172-run chase against LSG appear simple. With his 69 off 34 balls, Prabhsimran Singh dazzled everyone and joined captain Shreyas Iyer in an 84-run partnership. Nehal Wadhera led the squad home with a scorching 43* off 25 balls, while the Mumbai batsman remained undefeated at 52 off 30 deliveries.
PBKS is currently only behind Royal Challengers Bengaluru in second position in the standings after this victory.
Players have stepped up when needed, and the team has appeared to be very well-balanced under Iyer’s leadership. Praising Punjab’s strategy and Iyer’s leadership, former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla said the club is looking strong and unusual and is predicted to accomplish something significant this season.
“Iyer’s way of thinking is always unique as he is skilled at figuring out how to win. Since a captain is only as good as the players that support him, the setup surrounding him also affects his success. Punjab Kings assembled a well-rounded team, covering all the bases at the auction. They have a solid middle order, and Nehal Wadhera, who in as an impact player, made a vital knock. You have more alternatives and flexibility when you have depth on the bench. This year’s Punjab Kings appear to be a totally different team because of this,” Chawla stated on JioStar.
Arshdeep played his part flawlessly: Kane Williamson
Arshdeep Singh is spearheading Punjab’s bowling assault, which has been a key component of their early success. With three wickets, including the early removal of Mitchell Marsh, the left-arm pacer put on another outstanding display against LSG. The star batsman for New Zealand, Kane Williamson, talked about Arshdeep’s capacity to adjust to changing circumstances and contribute when called upon.
He is an excellent bowler who has been a member of the Indian team for a while. On that surface, he knew seam bowlers would succeed if they were patient and hit the appropriate spots. He took important wickets, and if Arshdeep’s day wasn’t already fantastic, it would likely be even better if he took three or four wickets for 20 runs, which would be more than anyone could have ever imagined.
His early success was crucial; it had a significant effect to fire Mitchell Marsh, who had been providing his squad with great starts. Arshdeep played his part brilliantly, both at the beginning and in the last over, and controlling the powerplay frequently sets the tone for the match,” Williamson remarked.
LSG captain Rishabh Pant, who has had a dismal run with the bat thus far, was another topic Chawla discussed. Against the Delhi Capitals, the southpaw has only managed 17 runs in three innings, including a six-ball duck. Regarding if Pant’s performance has been impacted by the high price tag, the former leg spinner spoke candidly.
“I don’t believe that Rishabh Pant is being impacted by the price tag since I know him well. But right now, he’s not playing at his best. He has not played on the Indian white-ball circuit, and there were high hopes for him going into this tournament as a franchise captain. There were high expectations for him this season because of everything that transpired last year.
Regretfully, he hasn’t started the campaign well, nor has his squad. His expulsion tonight was especially disheartening because he found the fielder at short fine leg despite the fact that the ball might have been put away anywhere. His subsequent response, that sardonic smirk, indicated that he is cognisant that he is going through a difficult time in which things are simply not going his way,” Chawla said.
India
