JioStar expert Ajay Jadeja highlighted how Punjab Kings' long-term investment in their Indian core is finally paying off
Punjab Kings' captain Shreyas Iyer is congratulated by Lucknow Super Giants' Prince Yadav after his team's win at the end of the IPL match in Dharamsala on May 4, 2025. (Photo by ARUN SANKAR / AFP)
Speaking on Kuhl Fans Match Centre Live on JioHotstar, JioStar expert Anil Kumble praised Arshdeep Singh’s powerplay spell as the turning point in Punjab Kings’ dominant win, "This was the moment where a momentum shift was needed—and it came with the bat first, posting 236, which isn’t an easy target to chase. But in a game like this, the powerplay becomes critical. Arshdeep Singh set the tone brilliantly, swinging the ball both ways, hitting the right line and length, and keeping things simple. He broke through the top order—LSG’s most destructive batters—and that was the decisive moment. His three wickets in the powerplay laid the foundation, and the other pacers backed him up perfectly."
JioStar expert Ajay Jadeja highlighted how Punjab Kings' long-term investment in their Indian core is finally paying off: “The key for Punjab Kings has been their Indian core. They've invested in players like Prabhsimran Singh for years—even back when Anil [Kumble] was involved. They waited patiently to see him deliver, and now he’s started scoring runs consistently. Shreyas Iyer, the captain, has also been phenomenal. He’s had a few low scores, but when he gets going, he takes the team to a commanding position. Over the years, the team had a strong Australian presence—probably something the owners preferred—but this season, it’s the Indian players who are making the real impact. There’s a belief in the group from the very first game. They’ve played as a unit, without relying on just big names. Everyone’s contributing in their own way, and that’s been the biggest strength of this side.”
Anil Kumble also praised Prabhsimran Singh’s all-round shot-making and crucial consistency for Punjab Kings’ this season. “He’s certainly shown that he can play all around the ground—ramp shots, pull, hook, reverse slog, sweep—he’s got it all. What’s been exceptional this season is his consistency. In the last three games, he’s delivered—today he was dropped on 21 but carried on, made it count, and ensured his runs mattered deep into the innings. He’s been outstanding for Punjab.”
Anil Kumble also broke down the play-off scenarios and highlighted how every game still counts in the race to the top four:
“It all depends on DC first—they play SRH today. If they win, they go to 14 points before facing Punjab, making that match almost like a semi-final. Whoever wins will have a better chance of qualifying, though the loser could still make it depending on other results. For Delhi, it’s crucial to beat SRH and get to 14 points. Then, the challenge is against Punjab. If Punjab beat Delhi, then the next big game is MI vs GT. GT has an advantage—they’ve played only 10 games and are already on 14 points. Don’t forget KKR—they could still qualify with 17 points. Punjab could also get to 17 if they win one of their next three. One of those teams could go through on net run rate. So just having an extra point doesn’t guarantee anything—you can’t afford to ignore net run rate. That’s why Punjab’s 37-run win was important. It’s still wide open.”
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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