Follow UsIt might have seemed done and dusted after Punjab Kings (PBKS) were bowled for 111 against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in Mullanpur on April 15 (Tuesday). Moreover, KKR were 62/2 in the eighth over and were cruising towards an easy win before Yuzvendra Chahal and the other bowlers triggered a collapse.
Like Nehal Wadhera, many PBKS batters did not score runs, but he recalls how skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting pumped them up during the mid-innings break, inspiring the team to do the impossible: defend the lowest total in Indian Premier League (IPL) history.
“I have never ever heard a negative word come out from his [Ponting's] mouth. When your coach is of such a character and the way he inspires everyone Even when we got out all out for 111, he just said that, 'Ok, today our bowlers need to get the job done. I need some really fiery spells today.' You know, automatically when players listen to such things from our coach, the confidence automatically just boosts up,” said Wadhera in the post-match press conference.
Wadhera also claims Shreyas is one of the best captains he has ever worked under.
“I think it really showed up in the field and I think it's all because of his pep talks and also Shreyas Iyer. The way he just charges up everyone, I think he's one of the finest captains I've ever played under. He's really great with what he does with the bat and the way he captains. The way he's leading the team is really great," Wadhera added.
PBKS, who have won four of their six games in IPL 2025, will face Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) next on April 18 (Friday) in Bengaluru.