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Shreyas Iyer’s Smart Call to Promote Josh Inglis Helps Punjab Kings Defeat LSG
Captain Shreyas Iyer’s Tactical Decision Sets the Tone for Punjab Kings’ Dominant Win
Punjab Kings registered a confident 37-run win over Lucknow Super Giants in Dharamsala, thanks to a bold captaincy decision by Shreyas Iyer. Head coach Ricky Ponting revealed that the move to promote Josh Inglis to number three was not a team directive, but rather a spontaneous call from the skipper himself.
Shreyas anticipated that Lucknow’s Mayank Yadav would bowl early in the innings, using short-pitched deliveries. Knowing Inglis’ strength against the short ball, Iyer pushed him up the order to exploit that specific match-up. The result? A quickfire partnership that wrestled early momentum in Punjab’s favor.
Josh Inglis and Prabhsimran Singh added 48 runs in just 22 deliveries after Arya fell cheaply. Inglis struck three sixes and one boundary off Mayank, putting pressure back on the bowling unit. The move disrupted Lucknow’s bowling plans and gave Punjab the edge they needed early in the innings.
Prabhsimran Singh Leads from the Front with Another Match-Winning Knock
While Inglis provided the initial spark, it was Prabhsimran Singh who anchored the innings. The opener played a stellar knock and came close to scoring his first century of the season, falling just nine runs short. His 91-run effort came at a blistering strike rate and showcased his ever-growing maturity as a top-order batter.
Prabhsimran now stands seventh on the list of highest run scorers in IPL 2025, having accumulated 437 runs at a strike rate of 170.03. His opening partner, Priyansh Arya, is not far behind, having scored 347 runs at an even more aggressive strike rate of 192.77.
Their partnership has consistently delivered results for Punjab Kings throughout the season. According to Ponting, their complementary skills—Prabhsimran’s ability to handle both pace and spin, and Arya’s explosiveness against fast bowling—have given the team solid starts game after game.
Read more: Top 10 Most Reliable Opening Partnerships in IPL History
Punjab Kings’ Batting Depth Gives Their Line-Up Unmatched Flexibility
A major reason behind Punjab’s aggressive batting style this season has been the depth of their line-up. With all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai batting as low as number nine, the team is structured to allow top-order players to bat freely without fear of collapse.
Coach Ricky Ponting emphasized how this structure has played a key role in the team’s success. With clearly defined roles and freedom at the top, players like Iyer, Prabhsimran, and Inglis can take the game to the opposition from the start.
This level of flexibility has allowed Punjab to post competitive totals consistently, something they struggled with in previous seasons.
Bowling Performance Solid Up Front, But Concerns Remain in Death Overs
Punjab Kings were outstanding with the new ball, reducing LSG to 73 for 4 within 10 overs. However, they conceded unnecessary runs during the death overs. Ayush Badoni and Abdul Samad played with nothing to lose and managed to reduce the margin of defeat for LSG.
Ponting acknowledged the lapse and stressed that it would be discussed internally. “I don’t think our bowling in the last 10 overs was up to the standard we expect. We’ll address it before the next match,” he stated.
While the final result never looked in doubt, leaking runs at the end may impact the team’s Net Run Rate—a crucial factor as the playoff race tightens.
Dharamsala Turns into a Fortress as Punjab Aim for Home Dominance
The match was the first of the season at Punjab Kings’ secondary home ground in Dharamsala. The picturesque stadium was packed with enthusiastic fans who cheered the team to victory. Ponting expressed his delight over the crowd support and emphasized the importance of making Dharamsala a tough venue for visiting teams.
He stated that Punjab would play two more games at the venue and that winning all of them could provide a critical edge. “We want teams to feel pressure when they come here. This is our home, and we need to make it count,” Ponting said.
With Delhi Capitals up next at the same venue, Punjab Kings will look to maintain their momentum and strengthen their position on the IPL points table.
Official update: IPL 2025 Points Table – IPLT20.com
