Fearsome foursome: Can Punjab's uncapped superboys land the final blow?
The Punjab Kings have never been the star-studded powerhouse in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Since finishing as runners-up in 2014 - when they lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in the final - they've struggled to make a mark, often falling short of playoff contention. For years, they've been a broken team with little hope from fans.But not this time. PBKS are in the final - and it's their young guns, led by the inspiring Shreyas Iyer, who have carried them here. The uncapped quartet of Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Nehal Wadhera, and Shashank Singh have all risen to the occasion, punching well above their weight to put PBKS within touching distance of the trophy.advertisementThe Kings are expected to go big one last time as they face the in-form Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) in the grand finale of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.Priyansh goes on a rampage
Priyansh Arya has been magnificent in his maiden IPL season. Courtesy: PTI
While Nehal, Prabhsimran, and Shashank brought some prior IPL experience, Priyansh didn't - but that hasn't held him back. The left-hander has scored 451 runs in 16 games at a blistering strike rate of 183.33. Among PBKS batters with 450+ runs in a season, only Glenn Maxwell (187.75 in 2014) has had a higher strike rate.advertisementPriyansh now has the chance to become the third-highest run-scorer among uncapped PBKS players in a single IPL season. His joint fourth-fastest IPL century, scored in April against five-time champions Chennai Super Kings (CSK), perfectly reflects his fearless mindset—unbothered by the reputation of any bowler he faces.Prabhsimran makes it count
Prabhsimran Singh has scored over 500 runs in IPL 2025. Courtesy: PTI
Prabhsimran Singh made his IPL debut back in 2019, but it's only in the 2025 season that he has truly showcased his potential. Fearless in his approach, the results have followed - as the saying goes, fortune favours the brave, and that has certainly been true for the 24-year-old Punjab batter. In 16 games, Prabhsimran has amassed 523 runs at an impressive strike rate of 163.43.RCB vs PBKS, IPL final Live Score and UpdatesIf he scores 94 or more in the final, Prabhsimran will make history by breaking Shaun Marsh's 18-year-old record for the most runs by an uncapped PBKS batter in a single IPL season. His partnership with Priyansh has also been a key factor in PBKS's success, with the duo putting together 489 runs—laying solid foundations at the top of the order.Nehal, Shashank fire big time
Nehal Wadhera has played handy knocks in the middle order. Courtesy: PTI
While Prabhsimran and Priyansh have handled the bulk of the scoring, the middle order has played a crucial supporting role. Nehal and Shashank have consistently provided strong finishes, building on the foundation set by the top order. Their reliability has allowed Prabhsimran and Priyansh to bat with freedom, knowing the innings would remain in safe hands even if they fell early.In Qualifier 2, Shreyas Iyer grabbed the spotlight with his 87-run knock in Ahmedabad, studded with eight boundaries. However, Nehal's 48-run innings was equally vital, coming at a crucial juncture when PBKS were struggling at 72 for three in pursuit of 205. The left-hander has been impressive throughout the season, scoring 354 runs at an average of 32.18 and a strike rate of 150.63.Shashank, meanwhile, holds the second-best average among PBKS batters - 41.28 - trailing only Shreyas' 54.81. This highlights that beyond being a clean striker of the ball, Shashank is also a dependable presence in the lineup. Although he fell for single digits in Qualifiers 1 and 2, he remains a strong contender to deliver in the final if the situation demands.advertisementHeading into the final, PBKS and their uncapped quartet may carry a psychological edge, having won both their matches in Ahmedabad—including a five-wicket victory over the Mumbai Indians. Now, with momentum on their side, it's time for PBKS to clear the final hurdle and usher in a new era after years of inconsistency in their IPL journey.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!Tune In
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