Nehal Wadhera talks about his surprise debut for Punjab King

In an unexpected turn of events, Nehal Wadhera marked his Punjab Kings debut in IPL 2025 with a match-winning performance, helping his side to a dominant win over Lucknow Super Giants on April 1 at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.

A Debut He Didn’t See Coming

Wadhera, who wasn’t expecting to feature in the playing XI, arrived at the venue with just one shirt in his bag — a clear sign that he wasn’t counting on playing. But cricket, as always, had other plans.

Punjab Kings were chasing a target of 172 against LSG, and with the top order firing on all cylinders, the game seemed nearly sealed when Wadhera was asked to pad up. Head coach Ricky Ponting, noticing that LSG had introduced a left-arm spinner as their Impact Player, tapped Wadhera on the shoulder and said, “Mate, you’re going in. Make the most of the opportunity. Play your way.”

Impactful Knock with the Bat

Wadhera walked in to bat at No. 4 after PBKS had already raced to 110/2 in 10.1 overs. Teaming up with captain Shreyas Iyer, the 24-year-old left-hander played a fearless brand of cricket, scoring an unbeaten 43 off just 25 balls. His innings included three boundaries and four massive sixes.

Together, Iyer and Wadhera stitched a rapid 67-run stand off just 37 balls, sealing the match for PBKS with 22 balls to spare. It was a display of confidence, composure, and clean hitting from the young batter, who last played for Mumbai Indians in IPL 2023.

Ponting’s Faith Rewarded

Speaking after the game, Ponting was full of praise for Wadhera’s mindset and maturity.

“We talk about players making an impact in T20s, and today Nehal did exactly that,” Ponting said in PBKS’s post-match video. “He came in ready to contribute despite thinking he might not play. That’s the kind of attitude we need.”

A Calm and Confident Approach

Wadhera credited his performance to the calm environment within the PBKS camp. “Iyer bhai was already set, so I just wanted to ensure he didn’t feel any pressure,” Wadhera said. “Ricky backed me, and I didn’t want to let him down. I just played my natural game.”

He also heaped praise on Shreyas Iyer’s leadership, saying, “All credit to him. He was constantly encouraging me, telling me to go with the flow. I love playing with that freedom.”

Wadhera’s Journey So Far

This wasn’t Wadhera’s first taste of IPL cricket. He had shown promise during IPL 2023 with Mumbai Indians as a flexible middle-order batter. However, he failed to cement his spot and didn’t feature in MI’s plans for the 2024 season. His resurgence in 2025 with Punjab Kings could mark the beginning of a new chapter in his career.

Punjab Kings Look Strong Without Overseas Dependence

Interestingly, PBKS’s win came largely without major contributions from overseas players — a point noted by commentators and analysts. Their Indian core is stepping up, with the likes of Iyer, Wadhera, and others showing promise early in the season.

As IPL 2025 heats up, Punjab Kings will be thrilled to have found a new match-winner in Wadhera — one who proved that even when you’re least expecting it, you can rise and deliver when it matters most.

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