Latest news with #TATAIPL2025Playoffs
India Today
25-05-2025
- Sport
- India Today
Shreyas Iyer's heart, Ricky Ponting's vision: How Punjab Kings cracked the code in IPL 2025
16 March 2025. Nearly a month before the start of the Indian Premier League 2025, Shashank Singh said on a podcast that Punjab Kings would finish in the top two of the points table this season. Shubhankar Mishra, the seasoned journalist hosting the show, let out an audible laugh - unable to believe what Shashank had just Shashank doubled down. Punjab, he insisted, had built a fresh squad under the tutelage of Ricky Ponting and would definitely race to the top two in 2025. Mishra, still sceptical, warned Shashank that if Punjab didn't even qualify for the playoffs, he'd clip the interview and troll over two months and ten days later, here we are - with Punjab Kings sitting top of the table after 13 matches, poised to finish in the top two for the first time since Kings Shashank Singh Said n had a bet with shubankar Mishra that PBKS will finish on Top He will send text after seasonShashank is so confident n also friend with Sheryas n Retained player he know a lot Positive n top notch confidence Love Punjab Baaz Bal (@BaazBal) March 16, 2025 Perennial underachievers, the Punjab Kings last qualified for the IPL playoffs in 2014. Under George Bailey's leadership, they were an exciting outfit, with the likes of Virender Sehwag and Glenn Maxwell lighting up the scoring charts. But after losing the 2014 final to KKR, Punjab slipped into a prolonged slump - cycling through coaches and captains with alarming the end of 2024, Punjab had become synonymous with instability and a lack of faith in their homegrown something Today spoke to two of Punjab Kings' coaches to understand what sparked this transformation. Brad Haddin (assistant coach) and James Hopes (bowling coach) shed light on the processes set in motion even before the auction - processes that gave this team an identity and helped them defy expectations to reach the playoffs. They also revealed how the onboarding of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting completely changed the culture of the is the Punjab Kings START AT THE AUCTIONSince the introduction of the Impact Player rule in the IPL, the focus has shifted towards deploying specialists - pure batters or bowlers - over traditional all-rounders. The rule diminished the value of multi-dimensional players (except the elite few), as specialists could now be subbed in and out of the Kings had the biggest budget in the mega auction of 2024. With Rs 112 crore at their disposal, it was important for them to build a squad that would be free of the past baggage, a squad that could start fresh. In a period where the role of all-rounders is diminishing due to the Impact Player rule, Punjab Kings went against the grain and flooded their squad with all-rounders - nine, to be wait for Playoffs qualification was longThe belief however, was persistentAhead of the #TATAIPL 2025 Playoffs, where will @PunjabKingsIPL rank in the battle of the four? #PBKSvDC IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 24, 2025Out of those, three were used consistently throughout the tournament: Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Azmatullah Omarzai, the highest among all the teams in IPL to James Hopes, the logic was simple: all-rounders gave the team a second chance if things went pear-shaped early in a game.'What we've done is, by having all-rounders, we're always able to strengthen what we do second - and still have something up our sleeve if the first hour goes wrong. That's all we're trying to do. Whatever we do second - bat or bowl - we want a stronger hand,' Hopes told India elaborated on how this approach added depth and flexibility:'With the all-rounders, we can pick all our bowling and still bat till No. 8. Azmatullah comes in at 8, Marco's already in the top eight. Then it's Arshdeep and Chahal. So if we're six down early, we bring in another all-rounder who can bat us out of trouble. If our top six or seven deliver, we just bring in the spinner - Brar - and get 6–8 overs from two of our top 8. That's great.'advertisementWhile the all-rounders gave Punjab flexibility, they weren't the only reason behind the team's new identity. The core of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Shashank Singh, and Arshdeep Singh has been instrumental in getting them to 17 points from 13 games. They would have 4 points more, if not for the washed-out game against KKR at Eden Gardens, or the abandoned match vs Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala - where they were well ahead before the matches were called off.'Sometimes in this tournament, it's easy to think, 'Oh, let's bring overseas stars to dominate,' but we've done the opposite,' Hopes explained. 'We've used the overseas players for the 'niggly' roles - three overs, hit sixes at the end - and trusted our Indian talent to take on the key spots: opening, No. 3, finishing. Shanky at the end, Wadhera in the middle, Arshdeep as our lead pacer - we didn't replace them. We built around them.'advertisementTHE SHREYAS IYER IMPACTA large credit for Punjab's success has to go to the people that decided Shreyas Iyer should be the person to take the team forward. The onboarding of Shreyas had a big impact on the team's top order, both in terms of style and T20 cricket, teams that start strong with the bat often hold the upper hand. Over the past few seasons, Punjab's template with either KL Rahul or Shikhar Dhawan at the top was increasingly outdated. The top order would look to hold the innings together, push for a score around 200–220, and hope the bowlers could defend the start of the 2025 season, new head coach Ricky Ponting was quite clear about how Punjab wanted to 'shed the baggage of failure' and were ready to play bold, exciting cricket. Words like that read well on paper - but are difficult to live up to. Just ask SRH, who crumbled this year on more balanced tracks despite similar in their very first match of IPL 2025, Punjab showed they weren't bluffing. Young Priyansh Arya smashed 7 boundaries and 2 sixes in a 23-ball blitz. Captain Shreyas Iyer hit a boundary off his first ball and went on to score an unbeaten 97. He could've easily chased a century, but chose instead to let Shashank Singh face the final over, believing that the lower order specialist was better suited to finish the kind of selflessness hadn't been seen at Punjab Kings before. The obvious question: where did it come from?According to assistant coach Brad Haddin, it starts with Iyer's character.'Ricky came in with a really clear vision - he needed a strong leader. We made no secret of wanting Shreyas Iyer. He's worked well with Ricky at Delhi Capitals, complements everything the staff stand for, and his cricket knowledge is second to none. But what really sets him apart is the care he shows - not just for the players, but for the coaches and staff too,' Haddin told India Today. Shreyas Iyer, Ricky Ponting (PTI Photo) Iyer had endured a difficult 18 months before this season. After a brilliant ODI World Cup 2023, he was left out of the BCCI central contracts - reportedly for not toeing the management's snub, which also cost him a place in the national team, must have left him wondering: What did I do wrong? But unlike his compatriot Ishan Kishan - who vanished from the scene - Iyer stayed the went back to domestic cricket, scored heavily, led Mumbai to trophies, and earned a national recall. In January 2025, he got a break due to an injury to Virat Kohli. He grabbed it with both hands, cemented his place, and starred in India's triumphant Champions Trophy confidence from lifting an ICC trophy brought back his full range of strokes. After 13 games in IPL 2025, Iyer had scored 488 runs at a strike rate of 172.43 - his most impactful season ever.'He's been really clear with Ricky on the style we want to play, the habits we build at training, and the mindset we carry,' Haddin said. 'You can look at a lot of moments, but the KKR game was special. The belief Shreyas had that we were in it - that belief spread to the team and even the crowd. That's what he brings to the environment.'PRABHSIMRAN AND THE SENSE OF SECURITYIt wasn't just Shreyas Iyer who elevated Punjab's game this season. The energy and clarity he and Ricky Ponting brought rubbed off on others too - especially the batters. Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh, two uncapped Indian talents, had a major impact at the top of the the two, Prabhsimran is arguably the more curious case. At Punjab since 2019, he's long been seen as a batter brimming with promise - known for the odd explosive knock, usually in the 30s or 40s, and occasionally something bigger. But this season, that promise has finally translated into 486 runs at a strike rate above 170, including four fifties in 13 matches, Prabhsimran has given Punjab exactly what they had hoped to get from one of their big-budget buys. Instead, it's been their homegrown player delivering match after to James Hopes, this breakthrough wasn't accidental. It had everything to do with a one-on-one conversation with Ricky Ponting before the season made two things clear: what he expected from Prabhsimran, and that he wouldn't be dropped for failing - as long as he was trying to execute his role.'Ricky talks to the batters a lot about how a game can change with just two scores - like an 80-plus and a 40-plus. The stat a few years back said you'd win 94% of games with that combo. So we told the batters: it's okay to fail. We want you to play your way. If you get out, you won't be dropped,' Hopes said.'For Prabhsimran, the penny's dropped. It happens - some players hit that moment. He's always been skilled, but now he's confident. And the best part is, he's just being himself. Nobody asked him to bat differently. That's what Rick does best - he gives them the freedom to be who they are.'That same approach has worked wonders for Nehal Wadhera, too. Discarded by Mumbai Indians, Wadhera has thrived in Punjab's system. More than just runs, he's found his voice in the team.'We trust Wadhera to read the situation,' Hopes explained. 'Like in the game against Rajasthan, we were 40/3 at the timeout. And he goes, 'We've got to get 180-plus.' Most guys would be cautious, but he was like, 'We're still on track. Let's go even harder.' That kind of clarity - you can only speak that way when you feel secure in your role.' Parbhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya (PTI Photo) The message from team leadership has been simple: don't keep your thoughts internal. Speak up, back your ideas, and go execute.'That's what Rick and Shreyas have done really well,' Hopes added. 'They've made it okay to think out loud - and act on it. And the players are doing just that.'Don't get this wrong, but despite all the success of Ponting and the coaching staff, Punjab Kings haven't had a flawless season. Big-name players have failed - none more so than Glenn Maxwell. Once the captain of this franchise, Maxwell was backed consistently in the lineup, yet from seven games, he returned just 48 runs and four here's the difference: the team didn't crumble under the weight of a superstar's failure. They were insulated by a strong support system - by clarity in roles and belief in a squad filled with coachable, grounded players. Players willing to listen. Players willing to like Azmatullah Omarzai and Priyansh Arya might be young and fearless, but they've also been receptive - eager to absorb the wisdom of those around them.'It was a whole new auction,' Brad Haddin said. 'We had a really clear idea - not just about what kind of cricketers we wanted, but what kind of people. It wasn't just about stacking up all-rounders. It was about personality.'And personality, as it turns out, mattered.'You need coachable players,' Haddin continued. 'And that's what we got with this group. They all bought into what Ricky and I brought in - and we're seeing it translate on the field.'In years past, Punjab often felt like a team of mismatched parts - chopped, changed, reshuffled. But in 2025, the pieces finally clicked. Not because they were all big names, but because they fit. Because they listened. Because they CRACK THE CODEIn 2025, Punjab Kings have done what once seemed impossible: they've cracked the IPL code. Not with big names or flashy signings - but through cohesion, clarity, and turning point? When Shreyas Iyer gave up a personal milestone - a maiden IPL hundred - to let Shashank Singh finish the job. That moment wasn't just selfless. It was symbolic. It said everything about this team's has been their superpower. In a season where others blinked, Punjab held their nerve - none more so than when they defended 111 against KKR. That grit, that trust in one another, has been their biggest isn't the old Punjab anymore. This is a team with a spine, with swagger, and with something to if they do go all the way - if they lift that trophy - Shashank Singh won't need to say a word. That clip will speak for 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
Economic Times
23-05-2025
- Business
- Economic Times
IPL 2025 Playoff tickets to go on sale from May 24 — details inside
Live Events Date Matches Time Access Venue 24 May Qualifier 1 & Eliminator 7:00 PM RuPay-only access New Chandigarh 25 May Qualifier 1 & Eliminator 8:00 PM Open to all New Chandigarh 26 May Qualifier 2 & Final 7:00 PM RuPay-only access Ahmedabad 27 May Qualifier 2 & Final 8:00 PM Open to all Ahmedabad Gujarat Titans (GT) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Punjab Kings (PBKS) Mumbai Indians (MI) (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our Economic Times WhatsApp channel Tickets for the TATA IPL 2025 Playoffs will go on sale from May 24, with a 24-hour early access window for RuPay cardholders, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on by Zomato has been roped in as the official ticketing partner for the playoffs. Tickets will also be available online through the IPL's official website ( District by Zomato's app and using RuPay cards will get early access to tickets for Qualifier 1 on May 29 and the Eliminator on May 30, both at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. This priority window opens on May ticket sales for the IPL 2025 Playoffs will open to all fans one day after the RuPay cardholder priority window. Tickets for the matches in New Chandigarh, including Qualifier 1 on May 29 and the Eliminator on May 30, will be available to the general public from May Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the Final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RuPay users can book tickets starting May the Ahmedabad matches, which include Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the Final on June 3, ticket sales will begin on May IPL 2025 playoffs were finalised after the tournament resumed following a week-long suspension announced on 9 May due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The four teams that qualified for the playoffs are:These teams secured their spots after key matches, with Mumbai Indians clinching the final berth by defeating Delhi Capitals on May 21. The playoffs are scheduled to begin with Qualifier 1 on May 29, followed by the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1, and the final on June 3.
Time of India
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
IPL 2025 Playoff tickets to go on sale from May 24 — details inside
Tickets for the TATA IPL 2025 Playoffs will go on sale from May 24, with a 24-hour early access window for RuPay cardholders, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) announced on Friday. District by Zomato has been roped in as the official ticketing partner for the playoffs. Tickets will also be available online through the IPL's official website ( District by Zomato's app and website. Fans using RuPay cards will get early access to tickets for Qualifier 1 on May 29 and the Eliminator on May 30, both at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh. This priority window opens on May 24. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. General ticket sales for the IPL 2025 Playoffs will open to all fans one day after the RuPay cardholder priority window. Tickets for the matches in New Chandigarh, including Qualifier 1 on May 29 and the Eliminator on May 30, will be available to the general public from May 25. For Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the Final on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, RuPay users can book tickets starting May 26. Live Events For the Ahmedabad matches, which include Qualifier 2 on June 1 and the Final on June 3, ticket sales will begin on May 27. Ticket sales timeline: Date Matches Time Access Venue 24 May Qualifier 1 & Eliminator 7:00 PM RuPay-only access New Chandigarh 25 May Qualifier 1 & Eliminator 8:00 PM Open to all New Chandigarh 26 May Qualifier 2 & Final 7:00 PM RuPay-only access Ahmedabad 27 May Qualifier 2 & Final 8:00 PM Open to all Ahmedabad The IPL 2025 playoffs were finalised after the tournament resumed following a week-long suspension announced on 9 May due to tensions between India and Pakistan. The four teams that qualified for the playoffs are: Gujarat Titans (GT) Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) Punjab Kings (PBKS) Mumbai Indians (MI) These teams secured their spots after key matches, with Mumbai Indians clinching the final berth by defeating Delhi Capitals on May 21. The playoffs are scheduled to begin with Qualifier 1 on May 29, followed by the Eliminator on May 30, Qualifier 2 on June 1, and the final on June 3.
Indian Express
20-05-2025
- Sport
- Indian Express
IPL 2025 final and Qualifier 2 to take place in Ahmedabad, Mullanpur Stadium gets Qualifier 1 and Eliminator
The BCCI on Monday announced the venues for the IPL 2025 playoffs and final with the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad set to host the summit clash as well as Qualifier 2 while the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh will host the Qualifier 1 and Eliminator. 'The spotlight will shift to the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh as it gears up to host the much-awaited Qualifier 1 – featuring the top-two ranked sides on Thursday, May 29 followed by an engrossing Eliminator clash on Friday, 30 May,' The IPL said in a statement 🚨 News 🚨 Schedule for TATA IPL 2025 Playoffs announced. Additionally, Match no. 65 between #RCB and #SRH shifted to Lucknow from Bengaluru. 🔽 Details | #TATAIPL — IndianPremierLeague (@IPL) May 20, 2025 'The excitement will elevate further as Ahmedabad's Narendra Modi Stadium, the world's largest cricket stadium in the world will host an electrifying Qualifier 2 and the grand Final. The Qualifier 2, to be played between the loser of Qualifier 1 and the winner of the Eliminator, will take place on Sunday, June 1. The highly-anticipated summit clash, which will crown the winner of the 18th Season of TATA IPL, is set to be played on Tuesday, June 3,' it added. (More to follow)
