Punjab Kings, the biggest revelation of IPL 2025 has emerged as the first team to qualify for the playoffs in the 18th edition of the world’s biggest cricket league. There has been a paradigm shift in the team this year, ever since two institutions of T20 cricket – Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting came together.
The last time Punjab Kings (PBKS) were remarkable during the league stages of an IPL tournament and managed to qualify into the playoffs, they were called as Kings XI Punjab. There were only eight teams competing back then, which was the summer of 2014, a mega-auction year too, much like this one.
11 years ago in the IPL 2014 season, Kings XI had Sanjay Bangar as its head coach, who had built an exciting team that delivered on the field. Fast forward to the present day, in IPL 2025, Ricky Ponting has gone a step ahead and constructed a team that not just delivered on the field but brought out a cultural shift along with the skipper Shreyas Iyer, where contributions have come from a whole variety of players.
The Punjab squad this year has been the most fearless and expressive in all of their playing history, almost like a renaissance has taken place – right from the management to captaincy, players to support staff. In IPL 2025 campaign, the team has been extremely resilient and flexible, definitely than they were 11 years ago, when they last reached the playoffs.
The single tunnel vision to make it to the Top 2 and seal a berth in the Qualifiers prior to the inception of the tournament has come around finally. Their clinical demolition right from the first match of the season has worked in their favour to give the results management expected until now.
It has been a long waiting game for Punjab to get back to the top. In the last 11 years, they had tried various combinations of captains, players and coaches, but nothing seemed to work. The IPL is a league where you cannot predict anything, but the refreshed approach that was evident as their journey in IPL 2025 commenced indicated that this could be the big year they get a breakthrough.
The owners brought in Ricky Ponting. He brought in Shreyas Iyer. And together, they brought in the big change. Here we have explored and unravelled major reasons why Punjab Kings can be the perfect choice for being the title contenders and deserve to clinch the trophy, the one accolade they have desperately worked towards.
Major Reasons for Punjab Kings to Win IPL 2025
- Shreyas Iyer’s Masterclass Captaincy – The man of the moment, Shreyas Iyer, the silent storm at the centre of it all, has lifted his team from mediocrity to magic. For the first time in years there is belief, there is a swag and undeniable firepower in the team structure – all thanks to his brilliant captaincy. Iyer has been rewriting history since he was appointed as the leader of this rather low-key group and has become the only captain to lead three different franchises to the IPL playoffs – Delhi Capitals, Kolkata Knight Riders and of course Punjab Kings. His confidence and self-confidence make him a matchwinner, setting example for his teammates to follow and emulate. Shreyas Iyer’s game acumen has certainly been one of the biggest reasons Punjab Kings are the table-toppers in IPL 2025.
- Ricky Ponting’s Brilliance – Just as the spine is the backbone of a body, the role a coach plays to nurture his team is invaluable. Ricky Ponting – probably one of the finest players the game has ever seen, brings with him abundant knowledge, experience and understanding of cricket – all things Punjab Kings were seeking to gain. Having been the head coach of Delhi Capitals earlier and a veteran IPL player himself, Ponting’s assessment of the game is second to none. The calming presence of Ricky Ponting in the dressing room., and his strategic planning with captain Shreyas Iyer has been the secret sauce PBKS fans have been waiting over a decade for. The team turnaround and the ability to extract the full potential from a player have been his biggest strengths as a coach.
- Management Support – Teamwork makes the dream work. A team is only as good as the environment they exist in. Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings, along with the owners and entire support staff has been the pillar to create an atmosphere conducive for player growth and success. Whether it is the logistical arrangements, health and nutrition, conditioning and recovery, freedom to share ideas and build an ethos that is surrounded by a collaborative spirit, the support that PBKS management has lent to its players is commendable. There has been an infectious energy – one not seen before. The team looks settled, energized and coordinated in their efforts both during practice sessions and live games. This has been a major reason for their resounding success in the journey of IPL 2025.
- Fiery Top-Order – PBKS have arguably the most explosive top three in IPL 2025. The terrific trio of Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya and Shreyas Iyer haven’t just boosted their statistics but have rather set the tone and swung momentum right from first ball. This top three combo gave it everything throughout the season: intent, stability and big-match temperament. Together they have accumulated over 1400 runs in the 14 matches played collectively, with 11 fifties amongst them.
- Bowling Unit on Fire – Not just the batting department, PBKS has built an enviable bowling unit this year, one that went all guns blazing in every match played by them. This bowling attack is as balanced as their batting. With a variety of bowlers in the squad – seamers and pacers at the front, wrist spinners in the middle and death over specialists at the end, Punjab Kings won game on game through a fiery bowling bunch, who could hold their nerves and dismantle the opposition like a pack of cards. The experience of Yuzvendra Chahal, Arshdeep Singh, Marco Jansen and Harpreet Brar must be awarded through a title win his year.
- Team Spirit & Fairness – A good team culture serves as the breeding ground for safety and positivity. One of the key players in Punjab group, Shashank Singh had recently highlighted how every individual associated with the unit is treated with equal respect and regard, irrespective of the position or stature in life. The seniority of a squad member is not mistreated and made use of in a negative manner. There is utmost amount of fairness and equity maintained by all the stakeholders. This has inculcated a synergy which has worked in their favour and allowed each member to deliver to their highest potential. Values spun around gratitude, hard work, character and team spirit have been the match-winning factors behind the scenes.
Conclusion
The Kings are finally roaring again. After over a decade of heartbreak, forgettable seasons dawns and wooden spoon finishes, Punjab Kings are back in the cash-rich league and how! With all eyes on the big final slated for June 3, can the mighty Punjab Kings go all out and bring the first ever first title home? As much as the die-hard fans would want them to, all of it will depend on luck and their form on the D-day. For now, head coach Ricky Ponting and skipper Shreyas Iyer have given their all and put the team in the best position to achieve that dream.
With all eyes set on the victory, it’s time to ride one last time!
FAQs on Punjab Kings
1)How many times has Punjab Kings qualified for IPL playoffs?
Punjab Kings has qualified for playoffs in IPL 2014 season when they topped the league table and finished runners-up, and in IPL 2025. The franchise played in the now-defunct Champions League T20 and finished as semi-finalists in 2014.
2) How much did Punjab Kings pay for Shreyas Iyer ahead of IPL 2025?
Punjab Kings bought Shreyas Iyer for INR 26.75 crores and became the second-most expensive player in IPL history.
3) Who is the head coach of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025?
Ricky Ponting is the head coach of Punjab Kings for IPL 2025.
The post Punjab Kings: The Team that Deserves to be Title Contenders for IPL 2025 appeared first on Sportzcraazy.
from Cricket News & Updates | Today Cricket Rankings | Latest Match Schedule https://ift.tt/qthiQp4
via IFTTT
0 Comments