Latest news with #Nehal
Indian Express
7 days ago
- Sport
- Indian Express
‘We knew that was a danger': MI coach Mahela Jayawardene on PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer taking his time in the middle during Qualifier 2
Mumbai Indians head coach Mahela Jayawardene said that they knew that Shreyas Iyer (87*) taking his time in the middle was a sign of danger in the Qualifier 2 against the 5-time champions. Iyer started slow but ramped up his innings with a partnership with Nehal Wadhera, guiding Punjab Kings to a thrilling 5-wicket win over MI at Ahmedabad. They will now take on Royal Challengers Bengaluru on Tuesday in the summit clash with a new IPL winner guaranteed. 'He took his time. He knew they would a bit under pressure, so he was taking his time. We knew that was a danger. As long as we didn't give him that partnership with Nehal (Wadhera), we would have been able to squeeze through because he would have had to go (out to attack) early, not wait that long.' 'He got Nehal to do the bulk of the work at that point, so that shows the experience, and he knew he had to take the game deep and he did. We were trying those options with the wickets, but it just didn't work for us today,' Jayawardene said after the match. The former Sri Lanka player also said that his team had a good campaign after their dismal start to the season where they lost 4 of their first 5 matches. 'It was a good campaign for us, the way we started, and how we regrouped as a team and had played some really, really good cricket. We had our opportunities getting to the playoffs and we had a really good game first up (Eliminator) and even today I thought we played some good cricket, except for Kings playing better cricket than us, especially with the bat,' he said. 'We probably left a bit of runs on the park as well with the bat. We lost our way after having that start. It was (losing) back to back wickets probably (which) slowed us down a little bit. But I thought 200 was still a good score in a qualifier… the pressure. We picked up those wickets as well up front and a few mistakes cost us the game and the bowling also, the execution wasn't up to the standards as well,' he said about Qualifier 2.
India Today
18-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
IPL 2025: Crisis man Nehal Wadhera reveals secret to PBKS' big-hitting success
Punjab Kings picked up right where they left off, as the former finalists posted yet another 200-plus total in their first match following the resumption of the IPL 2025 season. Despite losing three wickets for fewer than 35 runs after opting to bat against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur on Sunday, 18 May, Punjab finished with a formidable 219 on the board, thanks to half-centuries from youngsters Nehal Wadhera and Shashank marked Punjab Kings' sixth 200-plus total in IPL 2025 - the most by any team this season - as they continued to display an unrelenting, fearless approach with the bat. Speaking to the broadcasters after his blistering 70 off just 37 balls, Nehal revealed the clarity of communication in the dressing room and the consistent backing from captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. Nehal smashed five sixes and as many boundaries, registering the highest score of his fledgling IPL career. | IPL 2025, RR vs PBKS Coverage |"The conversations with the captain and coach have been very clear. We're encouraged to punish the loose deliveries - that's why we're frequently reaching 200. That positive mindset has made a big difference. I believe it all starts with preparation in the nets. The way we play there, we replicate it in matches," said Nehal This was the second time in IPL 2025 that Nehal rescued Punjab after an early collapse. In their earlier encounter against Rajasthan, Nehal had scored 62 off 41 balls in Mullanpur after the team had slumped to 43 for 4 - albeit in a losing this occasion, Nehal was promoted to bat at No. 4, with captain Shreyas, who was feeling under the weather, coming in at No. 5. Together, the pair added 67 runs in 7.2 overs for the fourth wicket. Nehal maintained the tempo with consistent big hitting, never allowing the momentum to slip. The left-hander looked well on course for his maiden IPL century but was dismissed in the 16th over by pace bowler Aakash EffectiveNehal Wadhera with his 2nd fifty of the seasonBoth coming off against #RRUpdates #TATAIPL | #RRvPBKS | @PunjabKingsIPL | @nehalwadhera IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 18, 2025Shashank then took over in the death overs, hammering an unbeaten 59 off 30 balls to ensure Punjab posted an above-par total on a sweltering afternoon in to Shashank's late flourish, Punjab closed on 219 - the highest total ever recorded in IPL history by a team that had lost three wickets for fewer than 35 runs. In doing so, they eclipsed the record previously held by Lucknow Super Giants, who had posted 213 in 20 overs after a similar early wobble against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Kings have reaped the rewards of their fearless batting philosophy in IPL 2025. Under Shreyas Iyer's leadership, the team now stands on the brink of qualifying for the playoffs for the first time since 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! IN THIS STORY#IPL 2025
