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Preity Zinta Celebrates as Punjab Kings Storm Into IPL Final, Says ‘Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye’

June 2, 2025, 8:20 pm

Actor and Punjab Kings (PBKS) co-owner Preity Zinta is overjoyed that her team is heading to the IPL finals after a decade. Punjab Kings triumphed over Mumbai Indians on Sunday in the IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 match at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. On Monday, Preity posted a series of pictures of her team players after the intense game to celebrate the big win ahead of the finals.

Behind-the-Scenes Glimpses from the Qualifier Win

Preity posted a sequence of photos to commemorate her team’s long-awaited triumph following the match. The initial photo was of Shreyas Iyer and Marcus Stoinis pausing to mull over the game. The second photo showed Yuzvendra Chahal fist-pumping after dismissing Suryakumar Yadav, the important wicket.

‘Punjabi Aa Gaye Oye’: Emotional Caption of Preity Zinta Goes Viral

In the caption, Preity wrote, “Wow what a win Punjabi aa gaye oye (red heart emoticon @punjabkingsipl.” She also added hashtags which were PBKSvMI, IPL2025, Sadda Punjab and Bas Jeetna Hai.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Preity G Zinta (@realpz)

Shreyas Iyer Shines as PBKS Secure Final Spot

Following Sunday’s match, Punjab Kings are going into the IPL finals for the first time in 11 weeks. Shreyas Iyer was responsible for this victory to achieve 87*(41) as PBKS overtook 204 against Mumbai. During dressing room celebrations later, Iyer cut a cake with Punjab owner Ness Wadia in celebration of Punjab’s second IPL final appearance.

IPL 2025 is bound to have a new champion this time around. The final will witness Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) preparing to take on Punjab Kings (PBKS) on June 3 at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

Preity Zinta to Return to Bollywood with Lahore 1947

While, on the other hand, Preity is set to return to the Hindi film industry with Lahore 1947, the directorial work of Rajkumar Santoshi. The film was her return to the silver screen after being away. Lahore 1947 is Aamir Khan Productions, and also features Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, Ali Fazal and Karan Deol.

Punjab Kings Pull Off Record IPL Run Chase Against MI, Reaches IPL 2025 Final

June 2, 2025, 2:16 am

In a nail-biting IPL 2025 Qualifier 2 encounter at Mumbai’s Narendra Modi Stadium, Shreyas Iyer guided the Punjab Kings to a dramatic five-wicket victory against the Mumbai Indians, chasing down a record 204-run target in only 19 overs. With this victory, not only did Punjab secure a berth in the IPL 2025 final but also achieved the highest successful run chase against the Mumbai Indians in the history of the tournament.

Punjab Kings Script the Record Books

The score of 207/5, with an over to spare, shattered the previous record of 196/2 held by Rajasthan Royals in 2020. It was also the first instance of any team successfully chasing more than 200 against MI in the IPL.

Highest successful run chases against MI in IPL:

Punjab Kings – 207/5 at Ahmedabad in 2025
Rajasthan Royals – 196/2 at Abu Dhabi in 2020
Delhi Capitals – 195/3 at Mumbai in 2018
Rajasthan Royals – 188/6 at Mumbai in 2019
Rising Pune Supergiants – 187/3 at Pune in 2017

MI’s Power-Packed 203 Sets the Stage

After being asked to bat first, Mumbai Indians totalled a dominant 203/6 in their 20 overs. The openers Rohit Sharma (8) and Jonny Bairstow (38 off 24) provided a swift start before Tilak Varma (44 off 29) and Suryakumar Yadav (44 off 26) took over in the middle overs. The show-stealer, however, was Naman Dhir’s thumping cameo of 37 off mere 18 balls, which enabled MI reach the 200-mark.

Surya’s knock was especially noteworthy because it brought him over the 700-run mark for the season the first non-opener to do so in one IPL edition.

Shreyas Iyer Turns the Game Around for Punjab Kings

Punjab’s pursuit began on an aggressive note with Priyansh Arya hitting 20 off a mere 10 balls. But they were soon in danger at 55/2. Josh Inglis’ (38 off 21) blazing innings maintained the momentum, but it was skipper Shreyas Iyer who delivered a pressure-packed match-winning innings.

Walking in at No. 4, Iyer turned the match on its head with a stunning 87* from only 41 deliveries, consisting of five fours and eight huge sixes. He got a good partner in Nehal Wadhera (48 off 29), and together they registered an 84-run stand that shattered the bowling plans of MI. Even Jasprit Bumrah and Trent Boult were unable to stem the run flow as Iyer produced one of the best innings in an IPL knockout encounter.

Ashwani Kumar Shines Briefly for Mumbai Indians

Among MI’s bowlers, youngster Ashwani Kumar was the standout, picking 2/55, including the key wickets of Priyansh Arya and Nehal Wadhera. However, the rest of the bowling unit failed to make inroads at crucial intervals. Bumrah, Topley, and Santner all went wicketless and were taken for runs at a high economy rate.

A Fitting Finish to the Qualifier 2 of IPL 2025

The game was concluded with Marcus Stoinis scoring the winning runs in the 19th over, sealing a historic win for Punjab Kings and breaking the back of MI in a venue where they have traditionally been dominant.

With this record-breaking performance, Punjab Kings enter the IPL 2025 final with energy and confidence. The campaign of MI, on the other hand, comes to an end in heartbreak, notwithstanding a good batting show and a season during which several players, particularly Suryakumar Yadav, achieved personal landmarks.

Punjab Kings will now get ready to play against The Royal Challenger Bengaluru in the IPL 2025 final. Meanwhile, MI will regret their failure to hold 200+ in a knockout and ponder what would have been a sixth title charge.

Preity Zinta Breaks Silence on Morphed Image with Vaibhav Suryavanshi

May 20, 2025, 5:10 pm

Punjab Kings owner and Bollywood actress Preity Zinta has rejected rumors that she hugged 14-year-old Rajasthan Royals player Vaibhav Suryavanshi in a viral clip that went around social media. She deemed the clip morphed and accused the media of spreading false news without verifying facts.

Rajasthan Royals later posted an official clip of Preity greeting Vaibhav, but without a hug. At the same time, Preity Zinta is gearing for her acting return after seven years with the movie Lahore 1947.

Preity Reacts to Viral Allegations

Following Sunday’s Punjab Kings vs. Rajasthan Royals game, the internet was awash with videos and photos purportedly showing Preity hugging young Vaibhav Suryavanshi. The videos went viral in a matter of minutes and attracted the interest of news channels, generating heated online debates.

Preity went straight to X (formerly Twitter) to confirm that the videos and pictures are morphed. She was surprised that news channels disseminated doctored content as factual news.

She wrote on Twitter, “This is a morphed image and fake news. Am so surprised now news channels are also using morphed images and featuring them as news items.” She also condemned another article publishing the video, writing, “Fake news with morphed image.”

Rajasthan Royals Sets the Record Straight

On Monday, Rajasthan Royals’ X account shared an uncensored clip of Preity Zinta talking to Vaibhav and other team members. The video features the song ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ in the background. It shows Preity Zinta speaking with Rajasthan Royals batter Yashasvi Sharma and then greeting Vaibhav Suryavanshi, but they do not hug. This clip refutes the viral rumors.

In the midst of the row, Preity Zinta awaits her comeback to films after a seven-year hiatus. She plays the lead in Lahore 1947, a historical drama by Rajkumar Santoshi, besides Sunny Deol, Shabana Azmi, and Ali Fazal.

Delhi Capitals, Punjab Kings Arrive in Delhi After IPL Match in Dharamshala is Called Off | Watch

May 9, 2025, 10:53 pm

The Delhi Capitals vs. Punjab Kings IPL 2025 match on May 8, 2025, in Dharamshala was suddenly cancelled after a string of security threats. A power blackout in the city, which was initiated by Pakistan drone and missile attacks on several locations across India, including places near Dharamshala, resulted in the match being suspended. The attacks followed immediately after India started its Operation Sindoor, which sought to disable terrorist infrastructure.

#WATCH | Delhi: Players of Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings reach Delhi’s Safdarjung Railway Station after their IPL match in Dharamshala was called off yesterday.

They reached Jalandhar from Dharamshala by road, after which they boarded the train to Delhi. pic.twitter.com/dZSuUgJhCm

— ANI (@ANI) May 9, 2025

Blackout and Security Issues Result in IPL Match Abandonment

Following increased tensions along the western frontier, Pakistan carried out a series of coordinated drone and missile attacks against Indian cities, including areas around Dharamshala. The attacks caused widespread power outages, bringing the planned IPL match between Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings to a halt. Authorities, concerned about player and fan safety, decided to cancel the match due to the threat posed by these ongoing security threats.

The two teams, which were already on their way to the stadium, quickly organized alternative travel arrangements. Members of both teams traveled back to Delhi, initially by road from Dharamshala to Jalandhar, then by train to Safdarjung Railway Station in Delhi, which they reached on May 9, 2025. The last-minute change in travel plans was required owing to the blackout and security risks after the attacks.
IPL 2025 Put on Hold Amid Security Threats

Following the increasing security threats post-Operation Sindoor and the ongoing attacks along the western border of India, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) put the IPL 2025 on hold. The league, which has been a point of enthusiasm for millions of people across the nation, is on the verge of a significant disruption with security fears taking over. No additional IPL matches will be conducted until the situation normalizes and safety protocols are established firmly.

Operation Sindoor and Its Impact

Attacks were preceded by India’s Operation Sindoor that was conducted in order to topple terror camps working within Pakistan and Pakistan-held Jammu and Kashmir. With the operation conducted, Pakistan military further fueled tension by attacking drone and missile launches against military installations and civilian assets within India. Blackout within Dharamshala was but one of numerous implications resulting from this tightened security environment.

While the nation deals with these security issues, the BCCI, players, and fans alike wait to hear when IPL 2025 can resume safely. The league is currently on hold, with the main priority being national security and the safety of everyone involved.

Arshdeep Singh Becomes Highest Wicket-Taker for Punjab Kings in IPL History

April 19, 2025, 11:30 am

Star pacer Arshdeep Singh wrote history by becoming the most wicket-taking bowler for Punjab Kings in IPL history. He recorded a big milestone in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) vs Punjab Kings (PBKS) match at the legendary M Chinnaswamy stadium here on Friday, April 18, 2025.

Arsheedp Singh Breaks Piyush Chawla’s Record

Arshdeep Singh overtook leg-spinner Piyush Chawla’s record of 84 wickets to achieve the milestone. He reached the achievement with his first wicket of the match, getting rid of Phil Salt in the first over of the innings. The Indian left-arm seamer delivered a back-of-a-length ball, and the batter attempted to pull it for a huge hit. Yet it clipped the upper edge of the bat, and the ball rose into the air. Jos Inglis yelled out for the catch and snagged the take inside the 30-yard circle.

Top 10 Wicket-Takers for Punjab Franchise

Other notable bowlers in the top 10 wicket-takers for Punjab Kings include Sandeep Sharma. He has picked up 73 wickets in 61 matches. Axar Patel follows with 69 wickets in 73 games. Mohammed Shami has 58 wickets in 42 outings.

Joining them on the list are P Awana, with 48 wickets in 38 matches. Irfan Pathan has 47 in 42 matches. Kagiso Rabada has 41 in 30 matches. All of them have made valuable contributions with the ball.

Sam Curran, MM Sharma, RD Chahar, and P Kumar complete the top 10. Each has delivered key performances for Punjab Kings during their respective IPL tenures. Arshdeep Singh’s achievement further strengthens his position as a key figure in Punjab Kings’ bowling attack.

Rise to Stardom for Arshdeep Singh

Prior to this game, Arshdeep Singh, who has played only for Punjab Kings in his IPL career, had 84 wickets in his bag in 71 games at a strike rate of 17.88 and an average of 26.82. He is one of the two bowlers who have taken a fifer for Punjab Kings in the IPL.

Arshdeep Singh emerged from the ranks and earned a spot in India’s roster after the IPL 2021. He was India’s top wicket-taker of the tournament in 2022 and 2024 T20 World Cups. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, Arshdeep Singh was retained by Punjab Kings for a record INR 18 crore since the franchise exercised an RTM on him. This made him the best-paid Indian pacer in the tournament, who had entered the auction.

PBKS Coach Ricky Ponting Praises Team After Historic IPL Win Over KKR

April 16, 2025, 6:57 am

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting praised his team’s fighting spirit and determination after they pulled off a dramatic 16-run victory against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR). The win came despite PBKS defending just 112 runs, the lowest total ever successfully defended in IPL history.

PBKS managed to bowl out the defending champions for only 95 runs in 15.1 overs at Mullanpur. Their bowlers, especially Yuzvendra Chahal and Marco Jansen, delivered outstanding spells to compensate for a weak batting performance.

Ponting admitted that the thrilling nature of the match had his heart racing. He said, “The heart rate is still up there. I’m 50 years now and don’t need more games like these.”

He explained that defending a low total can often be more difficult than chasing one. “Defending 112, with 16 runs up our sleeves. We actually said to the guys at the halfway mark that these really small chases, like these, are sometimes the hardest,” Ponting added.

He also mentioned that the pitch conditions made it hard for both teams to score runs. “The wicket wasn’t easy, as you can see that right through the game, it was definitely holding up,” he noted.

Ponting praised Chahal’s performance, calling it an incredible spell of bowling. He shared that Chahal had suffered a shoulder injury in the previous match and had to pass a fitness test before playing. Ponting recalled asking Chahal before the game if he was fit to play. Chahal told him, “Coach, I am 100 per cent right, let me out there.” Ponting added, “Yeah, what a spell of bowling!”

Although PBKS struggled with the bat, Ponting said he felt proud of how the team responded with the ball. He admitted their batting fell short due to poor shot selection and execution. But once the team took the field, their energy and belief made the difference. “Even if we had lost that game, I couldn’t have been prouder of the way we went about the second half,” he said.

Ponting believed this match could mark a turning point in their campaign. He explained that even a close loss would have shown the team’s fighting spirit. “So, if we had gone down in a really close one, I would have been telling the guys that was actually a season-defining moment – and it might be now as well,” he said. He added, “To be able to dig deep and win a game like that, I reckon at the halfway mark there weren’t too many people around the world that thought that we could have defended it – and we have. Credit to all the boys. They were terrific tonight.”

Ponting also spoke about the tactical adjustments made during the game. Instead of sticking to their regular strategy, they opted to start the bowling with Marco Jansen and Bartlett instead of Arshdeep Singh. According to Ponting, match-ups showed that Jansen and Bartlett would be more effective, so they adapted their approach.

In closing, Ponting acknowledged the emotional impact of the win. “Wins like these are always the sweetest ones. And if you can pull this off, then it should be as good a win as most guys have been involved in. I have coached a lot of games in the IPL, and that might just be about the best win I ever had,” he said.

Match Summary:

PBKS had won the toss and chosen to bat first. Openers Priyansh Arya (22 off 12 balls) and Prabhsimran Singh (30 off 15) gave the team a strong start, adding 39 runs quickly. However, a tight bowling spell from Harshit Rana (3/25) and sharp fielding by Ramandeep Singh left PBKS at 54/4 after the powerplay. Later, Sunil Narine (2/14) and Varun Chakravarthy (2/21) prevented any recovery, bowling PBKS out for 111 in 15.3 overs.

In response, KKR lost quick wickets as PBKS bowlers dominated. Chahal took 4/28, while Jansen grabbed 3/17. Despite efforts by Angkrish Raghuvanshi (37 off 28) and Andre Russell (17 off 11), KKR collapsed to 95 all out in 15.1 overs.

After this win, PBKS moved to fourth on the points table with four wins and two losses (8 points). KKR dropped to sixth with three wins and four losses (6 points).

Glenn Maxwell Slapped With Fine After PBKS’ Win vs CSK

April 10, 2025, 8:33 am

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) on Tuesday acted firmly against Punjab Kings batter Glenn Maxwell after he violated the IPL code of conduct during the match against Chennai Super Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh. Punjab clinched the match by 18 runs to stay in the top four of the IPL 2025 points table, while Chennai fell to the ninth place following their fourth consecutive loss this season.

Penalty and Code Violation Details Commited By Glenn Maxwell

Glenn Maxwell was penalized 25 per cent of his match fee and received one demerit point for violating the IPL Code of Conduct. “Glenn Maxwell accepted the Level 1 charge under article 2.2 (abuse of fixtures and fittings in the course of the Match) and accepted the Match Referee’s penalty. For Level 1 infractions of the Code of Conduct, the decision of the Match Referee is final and binding,” the IPL press release stated.

Article 2.2 of the Code of Conduct for Players and Team Officials by BCCI applies to “Abuse of cricket equipment or clothing, ground equipment or fixtures and fittings during a Match.”

“Article 2.2 encompasses any action(s) outside the normal course of cricket action, e.g. kicking or hitting the wickets and any action(s) which intentionally (i.e. wilfully), negligently or recklessly (in either case even if accidental) causes damage to the advertising boards, boundary fences, dressing room doors, mirrors, windows and other fixtures and fittings.”. “For instance, a player commits this offence without restriction by forcefully swinging their bat in frustration and damaging an advertising board,” states the rule.

Priyansh Arya leads PBKS to victory

Punjab discovered a new hero on Tuesday as young opener Priyansh Arya, who made some eyeballs turn with his performance in Delhi Premier League last season, scored his first IPL century to guide Punjab over Chennai. Arya capitalized on his luck and power-hitting to score 103 off 42 deliveries with the support of seven fours and nine over-the-fence hits as Punjab posted 219 for six.

Pursuing the formidable target, CSK opener Devon Conway got out for 69 off 49 balls, and Shivam Dube and Rachin Ravindran contributed 36 and 42, respectively. In the end, MS Dhoni scored a 27-run cameo off 12 balls, but the innings were not enough to lead CSK to a win. CSK, therefore, fell to a fourth straight defeat in this season.

James Hopes on Lucknow Pitch: “It May Suit Spin-Heavy Attacks”

April 1, 2025, 11:56 am

Punjab Kings’ pace bowling coach James Hopes made a solemn promise of home advantage in cricket before his team’s IPL 2025 match against Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Cricket Stadium here Tuesday.

James Hopes on Home-Ground Advantage

“I think it’s fine to have a home-ground advantage. If that home ground advantage is you have a spin-heavy attack and you can play on a spinning wicket, that’s fine.

At the end of the day, you only play one game there [at an away ground]. You’ve just got to prepare accordingly and try to combat that,” said Hopes at the pre-match press conference.

James Hopes Highlights Lucknow Pitch Could Favor Spinners

James Hopes also estimated that the Lucknow pitch will be a competitive pitch while conceding that it may play out in accordance with the home team’s bowling combination.

“At the moment, it looks pretty good. It’s changed a lot over the last few days. We know that they [LSG] have had their injuries on the pace front. We know they were spin-heavy in the first game. We’ll just have to wait until tomorrow night to see whether they go spin heavy again,” added Hopes.

Shahbaz Ahmed’s Take on Ekana Surface

LSG all-rounder Shahbaz Ahmed said that the Ekana surface will allow for an even contest between bat and ball.

“I feel this pitch will help both batters and bowlers. Also, this is a big ground, which will help the bowlers. It might aid pacers in the beginning, but batters will have their chances later on.

Compared to other grounds, I think Ekana will favour the bowlers. It might be high-scoring, but it won’t be like it is in Hyderabad or other grounds,” said Shahbaz.

With both teams studying the conditions of the pitch and planning their strategies accordingly, the next game is set to be an intense battle. Punjab Kings will attempt to adjust according to the conditions, while Lucknow Super Giants will try to take advantage of their home conditions. As both teams gear up for the clash, everyone’s eyes will be on how the pitch behaves and which team gets their game strategy right on game day.

Ricky Ponting, PBKS Squad Perform Puja Before IPL 2025 | WATCH

March 21, 2025, 1:15 am

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting, along with the team management, recently performed a puja ahead of IPL 2025. Ponting, who joined PBKS after parting ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) post-IPL 2024, is set to embark on his first season as PBKS coach.

Ricky Ponting doing Pooja. ?❤️pic.twitter.com/6BfAt62eOy

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 20, 2025

Ponting Joins PBKS After Successful Stint with DC

Ponting, who coached Delhi Capitals for seven years (2018–2024), played a crucial role in assembling PBKS’ squad during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise invested ₹26.75 crores to acquire Shreyas Iyer, who has been appointed as the new captain.

PBKS Strengthens Squad with Key Players

PBKS made significant moves in the auction, adding players like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and several Australian cricketers to strengthen their squad. As part of their preparation, the team performed a puja, seeking blessings for a successful season.

Aakash Chopra Praises PBKS Squad but Highlights Concerns

Cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra shared his views on PBKS’ squad for IPL 2025. While praising the overall team strength, he expressed concerns about the lack of quality Indian batters.

Chopra’s Concerns About Indian Batting Depth

In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra mentioned:

“They have assembled a good squad, but the Indian batting seems slightly weak. Shreyas Iyer is the star, but apart from him, options like Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Prabhsimran Singh remain inconsistent.”

Chopra emphasized that while Shashank Singh had one great season, Nehal Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh are yet to prove their consistency.

Challenges for PBKS in IPL 2025

Chopra concluded by stating that PBKS’ success in IPL 2025 may hinge on the performance of their Indian batters, which remains a challenge.

Shreyas Iyer Named Punjab Kings Captain for IPL 2025

January 13, 2025, 10:55 am

Punjab Kings (PBKS) has officially appointed Shreyas Iyer as their captain for the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. PBKS secured the 30-year-old cricketer, who guided Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to IPL glory in 2024, for a record-breaking INR 26.75 Crore during the auction, making him the second-highest buy.

When Iyer takes charge as the PBKS skipper, he will make history as the first player to captain three different IPL franchises in his career.

???? ????? ????? ????? ????? ??????????????! ?#CaptainShreyas #SaddaPunjab #PunjabKings pic.twitter.com/jCYtx4bbVH

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) January 12, 2025

Stellar Year Leadership of Shreyas Iyer

Iyer’s captaincy credentials are indeed impeccable. Not only did he lead KKR to an IPL title, but he also spearheaded Mumbai to victories in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, Ranji Trophy, and Irani Trophy in 2024. With these four major trophies under his belt in just one year, Iyer has, therefore, cemented his reputation as a proven leader.

Expressing his enthusiasm, Iyer said, “I am honoured to have the team’s trust in me. I am looking forward to working with Coach Ricky Ponting again. The team has a strong mix of promising talent and experienced performers, and I’m eager to help deliver our first IPL title.”

Reuniting with Ricky Ponting

The IPL 2025 season reunites Iyer with Ricky Ponting, PBKS’s head coach. The duo previously led Delhi Capitals to their maiden IPL final in 2020. Ponting lauded Iyer’s leadership, stating, “Shreyas is a natural leader who inspires confidence. I’m excited to work with him to achieve great things for Punjab Kings.”

Punjab Kings’ Title Ambitions

Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon revealed that Iyer was their top choice for captain. As the franchise aims to end their title drought after falling short in the 2014 IPL final, Menon shared, “With Shreyas and Ricky at the helm, we believe this is our best chance to secure our maiden IPL title.”

IPL 2025 Auction Shocker: RCB’s Jaw-Dropping 5,400% Salary Hike In IPL 2025 Auction

November 29, 2024, 8:02 am

The Indian Premier League (IPL) auction has always been a thrilling spectacle wherein talented cricketers have been bought and sold at mind-boggling sums, but the 2025 edition went beyond that setting new records and making headlines for quite a few of its players, especially for wicketkeeper-batter Jitesh Sharma.

Jitesh Sharma’s Record-Breaking Salary Surge

Jitesh Sharma, who made his IPL debut for Punjab Kings (PBKS) in 2022 for a humble amount of Rs 20 lakh, is the greatest gainer at the IPL 2025 auction. His new deal with Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) fetched him a whopping Rs 11 crore. That amounts to a staggering 5,400% increase in his wages—at a record that cannot be easily broken by any other IPL player.

Initially sold to RCB for Rs 7 crore, Jitesh’s price soared when PBKS exercised the Right to Match (RTM) option, ensuring they couldn’t lose him to RCB without a fight. The final bid of Rs 11 crore was a testament to the remarkable growth of the 29-year-old, who has been a standout performer with the bat in recent seasons.

Dhruv Jurel’s Record Salary Increment

While Jitesh Sharma saw the highest increase in his auction price, the largest salary jump in IPL history went to another wicketkeeper-batter, Dhruv Jurel. Retained by Rajasthan Royals (RR) for an eye-watering Rs 14 crore, Jurel experienced a 6,900% hike from his previous salary of Rs 20 lakh—a massive financial leap for the young cricketer.

Record-Breaking Auction Moments

The IPL 2025 mega auction also witnessed some jaw-dropping moments, including record-breaking bids. The highest-ever price tag for a player was passed around several times. First, Mitchell Starc’s record was broken by Shreyas Iyer, whose price tag soared to Rs 26.75 crore, only to be topped shortly thereafter by Rishabh Pant, whose final bid reached Rs 27 crore. These bidding wars made the IPL 2025 auction one of the most exciting in history.

Jitesh Sharma: A Key Player for RCB

Jitesh Sharma’s inclusion in the Royal Challengers Bangalore squad for IPL 2025 has added another explosive element to their batting lineup. With the likes of Virat Kohli and Phil Salt expected to open the batting, Jitesh will be tasked with providing finishing touches to the innings. RCB’s middle order, including Rajat Patidar and Liam Livingstone, is expected to complement Sharma’s powerful hitting. Fans are already looking forward to the fireworks he will bring to the team.

IPL Auction in 2025: Changing Lives and Setting Records

The IPL has always been a platform for players to showcase their talent, but the auction also serves as a reminder of how the tournament can change the financial fortunes of cricketers overnight. From Jitesh Sharma’s astounding rise to the record-breaking bids for several top players, the IPL 2025 auction reaffirmed why this cricket league is one of the most lucrative in the world.

IPL 2024: GT’s Sai Kishore Labels Victory Over PBKS as ‘Hard-Fought’

April 22, 2024, 9:01 pm

Bowler Sai Kishore described the win as a “hard-fought” one following Gujarat Titans’ (GT) 3-wicket triumph over Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024.

In the first inning of the match, Kishore delivered a remarkable performance. The 27-year-old bowler claimed four wickets, conceding 33 runs in his four-over spell with an economy rate of 8.20.

In a video posted on the IPL’s social media handle, Kishore expressed that there were numerous positives to glean from the 3-wicket victory against the Punjab-based franchise.

“There are a lot of positives to take. It was a hard-fought win, I won’t say that it came in a platter,” Kishore said.

Sai Kishore further mentioned that if the team thinks collectively and sets achievable targets, it alleviates pressure.

“I think when you think as a team, the pressure is off, the targets are more achievable and then it is just playing for your wickets. What I try to do is think for the team, what the team wants, approach the game as a captain what you would do in that situation,” he added.

Summarizing the match, PBKS were set to bat. However, none of the batters managed to score significantly, although contributions from Ashutosh Sharma (31 off 16 balls, including a four and three sixes) and Jitesh Sharma (29 off 24 balls, featuring a four and two sixes) propelled the team to a total of 147/8 in their allotted 20 overs.

Keshav Maharaj (2/34) and Avesh Khan (2/23) emerged as the standout performers among the bowlers for RR.

In the pursuit of the target, Yashasvi Jaiswal (39 off 28 balls, including four boundaries) shared a 56-run partnership with Tanush Kotian (24 off 31 balls, featuring three fours). Subsequently, RR faced a flurry of quick dismissals. However, a rapid cameo from Shimron Hetmyer (27* off 10 balls, with a four and three sixes) aided the team in chasing down the target with one ball to spare.

Kagiso Rabada (2/18) and Sam Curran (2/25) excelled as the leading bowlers for PBKS.

How the IPL point table look after Mumbai’s win against PBKS?

April 19, 2024, 8:30 am

After Mumbai Indians’ thrilling win against Punjab Kings (PBKS) by 9 runs in Mohali yesterday, it seems Mumbai is looking to go back to its winning days after strings of defeats faced by them this IPL 2024 edition.

With 3 wicket hauls taken by Jasprit Bumrah and Gerald Coetzee respectively, PBKS was bowled out at 183 in 19.1 overs while chasing 193 despite a half-century from Ashutosh Sharma (61).

How the Point Tables Look Now

After this match, Mumbai has gotten two points against PBKS on Thursday, (April 18th) acquiring seventh spot in the IPL Table. As for Punjab Kings, it has been relegated to 9th spot.

Meanwhile on the basis of its run-rate, LSG continues to remain at the top, with a positive run-rate of (0.038).

While Delhi Capitals are behind LSG with run-rate of -0.074. Who had registered an impressive win against Gujarat titans. With the latter, now having the net run rate of -1.303.

As for the point table, not much has drastically changed. Rajasthan Royals continue to remain at the top with 12 points. Followed by Kolkata Knight Riders (2nd position). Followed by Chennai Super Kings & Sunrisers Hyderabad in 3 and 4th position respectively. While Royal Challengers are languishing at the bottom.

After the match, Captain Hardik Pandya expressed spoke in detail about the win.

“Very good game of cricket. Everyone’s nerve got tested. We did speak about before the game that the character will be checked in this game. Naturally you think you’re ahead in the game. But we knew IPL has a tendency to produce these games. Unbelievable – coming in and playing like that (Ashutosh’s knock). Almost every ball hitting the middle. Happy for him and chuffed for his future.”

“We did speak in the timeout that it doesn’t matter how good we look. We’ll keep scrapping in this game. We were quite soft in certain overs. Nevertheless, a win is a win,”

IPL 2024: Punjab Kings Prepare For a Vital Match Against LSG

March 30, 2024, 11:46 am

Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 has kicked off with the usual thrill and intensity, delivering the excitement and suspense that fans anticipate from one of cricket’s top tournaments. Punjab Kings (PBKS) got off to a strong start with a victory against Delhi Capitals (DC) but faced a tough setback against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Now, they are preparing for a vital match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) as they aim to bounce back from their recent defeat.

The recent match between the ‘Punjab Shers’ and RCB showcased a blend of performances. It commenced well with captain Shikhar Dhawan showcasing his leadership with a commendable innings of 45 runs off 37 balls before departing. Sam Curran (23 runs in 17 balls, including three fours), Jitesh Sharma (27 runs in 20 balls, with one four and two sixes), and a fiery cameo from Shashank Singh (21* off eight balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes) all contributed, allowing PBKS to post a competitive total of 176/6.

Despite a strong bowling effort, notably highlighted by Harpreet Brar’s exceptional performance, claiming two crucial wickets while conceding only 13 runs, Punjab’s efforts were not enough. This was primarily due to the impactful innings from Virat Kohli (77 runs off 59 balls, including 11 fours and two sixes) and Dinesh Karthik’s unbeaten knock of 28 runs from just 10 balls, featuring three fours and two sixes. Ultimately, Punjab suffered a narrow defeat, falling short by four wickets with four balls remaining.

On the flip side, Lucknow Super Giants faced a setback in their inaugural match against the Rajasthan Royals. Their bowlers found it challenging to contain the opposition batsmen, allowing Sanju Samson (82 not out off 52 balls, comprising three fours and six sixes) and Riyan Parag (43 runs off 29 balls, including a four and three sixes) to dominate and set a formidable total of 193/4 in their allotted 20 overs. Despite commendable efforts from KL Rahul (58 runs off 44 balls, featuring four boundaries and two sixes) and Nicholas Pooran (64 not out off 41 balls, with four boundaries and four sixes) with the bat, Lucknow fell short in their pursuit.

Looking at their head-to-head encounters, LSG holds the advantage, having won two out of the three matches played in the IPL so far. In their last face-off with PBKS, Lucknow set a formidable total of 257 runs, securing a victory by a significant margin of 56 runs.

Lucknow Super Giants Squad: Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul(w/c), Devdutt Padikkal, Ayush Badoni, Deepak Hooda, Marcus Stoinis, Nicholas Pooran, Krunal Pandya, Ravi Bishnoi, Mohsin Khan, Naveen-ul-Haq, Yash Thakur, Mayank Yadav, Prerak Mankad, Krishnappa Gowtham, Amit Mishra, David Willey, Kyle Mayers, Ashton Turner, Shivam Mavi, Manimaran Siddharth, Yudhvir Singh Charak, Arshad Khan, Shamar Joseph, Arshin Kulkarni

Punjab Kings Squad: Shikhar Dhawan(c), Jonny Bairstow, Prabhsimran Singh, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran, Jitesh Sharma(w), Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Harshal Patel, Kagiso Rabada, Rahul Chahar, Arshdeep Singh, Rilee Rossouw, Tanay Thyagarajan, Harpreet Singh Bhatia, Vidhwath Kaverappa, Chris Woakes, Rishi Dhawan, Sikandar Raza, Ashutosh Sharma, Atharva Taide, Nathan Ellis, Shivam Singh, Prince Choudhary, Vishwanath Singh.

IPL 2024: Rishabh Pant is back to captain the Delhi Capitals

March 23, 2024, 12:05 pm

The player who orchestrated the downfall and busted open the gates of the Gabba fortress, a player who is known for his sheer striking skills in white-ball cricket – Rishabh Pant – is just a couple of hours away from returning to the field of cricket for the first time in 14 months.

A life-threatening accident in December 2022 forced Pant to serve time on the sidelines keeping him away from the game he “loves the most”. Pant will lead Delhi Capitals for the first time since IPL 2022, against Punjab Kings at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, in Mohali on Saturday.

Fans who have been waiting for Pant’s return for more than a year will finally get to witness the spectacle that the 26-year-old has often produced in his career. After missing out on the on-field action for so long, for Pant, it would be like making his cricketing debut again.
He has been providing updates on his fitness to fans through social media since he began his rehabilitation. In the pre-match press conference, while addressing the media persons, Pant spoke at length about his feelings about making a comeback to professional cricket after 14 months.

“Jittery, nervous, excited- all of it, but at the same time, just happy, being able to come back to professional cricket. I’m just looking forward to playing my first game tomorrow,” Pant expressed.

“Every time I take the field, it’s a different feeling altogether. I just wanted to bat as much as I could and get better every day. I don’t think much ahead, I take one day at a time, and give my 100 per cent,” he added while talking about Delhi Capitals’ pre-season camp in Visakhapatnam.

Pant has represented DC since 2016 and has amassed 2,838 runs in 98 matches at an average of 34.61 and a strike rate of over 147, with a century and 15 fifties to his name.
For India, Pant has 33 Test, 30 ODI and 66 T20I appearances to his name. In Test, the left-handed batter amassed 2271 runs at an average of 43.67 and a strike rate of 73.63. He has five tons and eleven half-centuries as well.

In the T20I format, Pant has 987 runs at a batting average of 22.43 and a strike rate of 126.37. He has yet to score a ton but has three fifties to his name.

In ODIs, the wicketkeeper batter has 865 runs at an average of 34.60 and a strike rate of 106.65. Pant also has a century and five fifties in his kitty.

Harshal Patel is acquired by Punjab Kings for Rs 11.75 crores, making him today’s second millionaire

December 19, 2023, 3:26 pm

Indian bowler Harshal Patel was purchased by Punjab Kings for an incredible Rs 11.75 crores at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 auction that is currently taking place in Dubai.

After the IPL 2024 auction, Patel emerged as the second-richest player. The base cost of the Indian speedster was Rs 2 crores. Harshal participated in the T20 competition with the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) during the 2023 Indian Premier League (IPL). Throughout his IPL career, he has participated in ninety-two games and claimed 111 wickets.

Gerald Coetzee, a South African pacer, was acquired by the Mumbai Indians (MI) for Rs 5 crores. The starting price for Coetzee was Rs 2 crore.

After MI entered the fight, Chennai Super Kings (CSK) made the first offer for the South African team. Later, after CSK withdrew, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) entered the bidding battle. The Mumbai team succeeded and recruited Coetzee to their team.

The 23-year-old has not yet played in the opulent Twenty20 competition. He did, however, have an incredible ODI World Cup 2023 with the Proteas. In his four T20I appearances, Coetzee claimed six wickets. In 2023, he engaged in his final 20-over game against India.

Conversely, all-round batter Daryl Mitchell of New Zealand became the third millionaire of the auction when he was purchased for Rs 14 crores by Chennai Super Kings (CSK).

The New Zealand opener did not compete in the 16th season of the Indian Premier League. With the Rajasthan Royals (RR) in 2022, he played his final season.

In the entire T20 competition, he participated in just two games and amassed thirty-three runs. But he will be wearing the yellow jersey come next season.

The Australian captain Pat Cummins, who was purchased by Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) for Rs 20.50 crore earlier in the auction, set a record by becoming the most expensive player in Indian Premier League history.

Curran-Shahrukh stitch highest partnership for 6th wicket in IPL

May 20, 2023, 4:03 pm

Punjab Kings batters Sam Curran and Shahrukh Khan made history on Friday by forming the highest sixth-wicket partnership for their side in the history of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Curran-Shahrukh achieved this during their side’s IPL 2023 match against the Rajasthan Royals in Dharamshala. The duo formed an unbeaten 73-run stand for the sixth wicket in just 37 balls. They outdid KL Rahul and Harpreet Brar, who formed a 61-run stand for PBKS against RCB in 2021. KL Rahul and Prabhsimran Singh were also involved in a 53-run stand for the sixth wicket against Sunrisers Hyderabad in August 2019. Lastly, Shahrukh was also involved in an unbeaten 52-run stand with Odean Smith for the sixth wicket against RCB in 2022.

After being put to bat first by RR, PBKS scored 187/5 in their 20 overs. They struggled against RR bowlers initially, losing their four wickets for just 50 runs in 6.3 overs. Then Jitesh Sharma (44 in 28 balls, with three fours and three sixes) and Sam Curran stitched a 64-run stand for the fifth wicket to bring PBKS back into the game.

Then in the death overs, Curran (49* in 31 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) and Shahrukh Khan (41* in 23 balls, with four boundaries and two sixes) joined forces to up the run rate, taking PBKS to a competitive total. They scored 46 runs in the final two overs.

Kagiso Rabada (2/40) was the pick of the bowlers for PBKS. Sam Curran, Nathan Ellis, Deepak Chahar, and Arshdeep Singh took a wicket each. Padikkal got the ‘Player of the Match award for his fifty. With this, RR is in the fifth spot in the points table with seven wins and seven losses. They have a total of 14 points.

PBKS’s IPL 2023 campaign is over. They end up in the eighth position with six wins and eight losses. They have a total of 12 points.

Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar perform live for the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings

April 21, 2023, 1:17 pm

Music sensations Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar performed live in the Star Sports studio for the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings happening today. The two sisters took the stage and mesmerised the audience with their captivating performance. The IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings today was not just any ordinary match, as the Star Sports studio witnessed a stunning live performance by the two Sukriti and Prakriti Kakar.

Sukriti and Prakriti performed their hit numbers, including some of their most popular Bollywood tracks, to keep the audience entertained during the breaks in the match. Their performance was full of energy, and the two sisters were seen grooving to their own tunes, creating a lively atmosphere in the studio and for fans all over India who tuned in to watch. While Sukriti performed her recent number from the movie Pathan, the two also dedicated their song ‘Sona Lagda’ to their favourite player Virat Kohli, who was prepping to hit the field that evening.

The IPL is one of the most anticipated events in the country, and Sukriti and Prakriti’s live performance made it even more special. Their captivating voices and energetic stage presence created a festive atmosphere in the studio, which was enjoyed by millions of fans watching the match. Sukriti and Prakriti’s performance in the Star Sports studio was a significant addition and a great start to the IPL match between Royal Challengers Bangalore and Punjab Kings. Their electrifying performance and captivating voices added to the grandeur of the already star-studded event, making it a memorable experience for all who witnessed it.

IPL 2023: Gurnoor Singh Brar replaces Raj Angad Bawa

April 5, 2023, 2:13 pm

Punjab Kings have signed Gurnoor Singh Brar in place of injured Raj Angad Bawa. On Wednesday, the Indian Premier League issued a Medida advisory, which revealed that the Punjab Kings have acquired the services of the 22-year-old all-rounder for Rs 20 lakh.

“Punjab Kings (PBKS) have signed Gurnoor Singh Brar for INR 20 lakhs as a replacement for the injured Raj Angad Bawa for the TATA IPL 2023 season. Raj Angad Bawa, who played two matches for PBKS last season, is out with a left shoulder injury,'” said the IPL Media Advisory.

A left-handed all-rounder, Gurnoor made his first-class debut for Punjab in December 2022. He appeared in five first-class matches and scored 107 runs at a strike rate of 120.22. Along with this, he took seven wickets at an economy rate of 3.80.

Today, Punjab Kings will square off against Rajasthan Royals at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati, Assam. After defeating the Kolkata Knight Riders in their opening game, PBKS will be keen to build on the momentum.

Chasing the target of 192 runs, KKR had a poor start in the last match. Pacer Arshdeep Singh shook the Kolkata batting line-up with a double blow. He dismissed Mandeep Singh (2) and Anukul Roy (4) cheaply to reduce KKR to 17/2 in 2 overs.

However, rain interrupted the game, and due to this, Punjab Kings emerged victorious via the DLS method. KKR’s innings was put to a halt at 146/7 in 16 overs, with Sunil Narine (7*) and Shardul Thakur (8*) unbeaten. He still needed 46 runs in the last four overs. The match could not progress further, and PBKS won by 7 runs.