Shreyas Iyer's inspiring leadership faces its toughest test yet when Punjab Kings host an equally upbeat Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 of the Indian Premier League in Mullanpur on Thursday.
This squad is by far one of the most compact in Punjab's IPL history and with the tactical genius of Ricky Ponting at the helm, it will be a folly to write them off at any time of the competition.
Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh struck half-centuries, while left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar took three wickets as Punjab Kings outclassed Rajasthan Royals by 10 runs.
Punjab Kings' owners will feel the Rs 26.75 crore they splurged on Shreyas Iyer was money well spent after the 30-year-old demonstrated selfless leadership in Tuesday's Indian Premier League (IPL) victory against 2022 champions Gujarat Titans.
Skipper Shreyas Iyer led from the front on his debut for Punjab Kings with a scintillating knock, while Sai Sudharsan and Jos Buttler fought bravely for Gujarat Titans.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru have very little time to pick up the pieces after a debilitating loss as they eye a much-improved display from their batting unit in a return Indian Premier League match against in-form Punjab Kings in Mullanpur, Punjab, on Sunday.
Virat Kohli's nearly two-decade long agonising wait to lay his hands on an IPL trophy with Royal Challengers Bengaluru will be up against Shreyas Iyer's resolve to make first-time winners out of the tenacious Punjab Kings.
His assuredness at the crease augurs well for Punjab in the play-offs and thereafter.
This team-first mentality has won widespread praise, with social media buzzing over Iyer's leadership
'Lately, I have been batting a lot in the nets and facing the quick bowlers, especially with the new ball, and that's given me immense confidence.'
Coming into the match with two low scores and mounting pressure, Arya responded with a fearless knock that flipped the script for Punjab and sent a clear message to the league: A star is born.
Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant is looking to make his mark and secure a win in his team's first home game of the season.
This Diwali will not see the three Khans or Akshay Kumar, Ajay Devgn or Hrithik Roshan bringing their films to the marquee, as is usually the norm. Even Ranbir Kapoor, Kartik Aaryan and Ranveer Singh will not treat us to a movie release.
IMAGES from the IPL match between Punjab Kings and Chennai Super Kings in Mullanpur on Tuesday
Punjab Kings batter Shashank Singh is preparing for the upcoming IPL season with a focus on countering the 'familiarity factor' and improving his game.
Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings, two sides chasing their first IPL title, will square off in a tantalising Qualifier 1 encounter on Thursday, May 29, 2025.
Shreyas Iyer's brilliant 97 not out helped Punjab Kings to an 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans in their Indian Premier League (IPL) opener.
IMAGES from the Indian Premier League match played between Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants in Dharamsala, on Sunday.
Images from the IPL 2025 match between Gujarat Titans vs Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium, Ahmedabad, on Tuesday.
Punjab Kings playing different cricket this season: Prabhsimran Singh
'My coaches gave me just one role, which is to hit the stumps, whether I bowl legbreak, googly, flipper or any other variation.'
Sunny Sanskari Ki Tulsi Kumari is one of those mindless fluff kind of date movies, where there is no real conflict, lots of singing and dancing in fancy outfits (as brief as possible for the ladies), observes Deepa Gahlot.
Vote for the best catches of the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals match.
Gujarat Titans' assistant coach Parthiv Patel on Friday said 'fearlessness' among batters was the reason for the huge powerplay scores in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL).
While CSK dropped as many as five catches, a couple of them sitters, Punjab were not too far behind as they floored four chances.
Jurel, Shashank or Rabada? Whose catching was most impressive?
On Sunday, he did well to kill the notion that left arm spinners are not effective against left arm batters as he clearly took out the Rajasthan southpaws for his first two wickets.
IPL 2025: CSK, RR repeat offenders in dropping catches; Arya, Hetmyer luckiest
Solanki further lauded the PBKS batter Shashank Singh who played a match-winning knock.
'This is one platform that can help you achieve your goal of playing for India.'
A full-strength Punjab Kings will fancy their chances of securing their first top-two finish in 11 years, when they face Delhi Capitals on Saturday.
In an interview to PTI ahead of the IPL play-offs, Ponting covered all areas that got the franchise much-needed success. Excerpts from the interaction.
A rampant Mumbai Indians will present a stern test of character for the rattled Punjab Kings in a virtual semi-final when the two teams face-off in Qualifier 2 of the Indian Premier League in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
The pacer praised Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh for helping PBKS recovering in the second inning after losing two quick wickets.
India recognised acts of gallantry by armed forces personnel and senior military officers involved in Operation Sindoor, along with other distinguished service awards, on the eve of the 79th Independence Day.
Punjab Kings will look to renew their bid for a play-off berth with another commanding performance in Jaipur on Sunday against Rajasthan Royals, who have failed to rise above mediocrity despite possessing the resources this season.
'I was normal and believed that I could do it because I had won games for my home team. Back home I was training with Amay Khurasiya sir. He told me when you get a chance you will become a hero.'
Punjab Kings' skipper Shreyas Iyer scored a brilliant 85 runs off 41 balls during his side's intra-squad practice match ahead of their IPL campaign.
Lucknow Super Giants skipper Rishabh Pant's woeful form with the bat and Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer's sublime touch have made Sunday's mid-table clash an engrossing contest -- one that could decisively shape the fortunes of either side as the IPL enters its business end.
Shreyas Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title last year, was bought by Punjab Kings for a whopping Rs 26.75 crore at the players' auctions.
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