Punjab Kings’ rising star Nehal Wadhera made an unexpected yet impactful debut in IPL 2025 during the match against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Stadium on April 1. The 24-year-old batter, who scored an unbeaten 43 off 25 balls, revealed that he had no idea he would be playing until moments before the game.
Wadhera’s inclusion in the playing XI came as a surprise, even to him. “I only brought one kit because I was sure I wouldn’t be in the XI,” he shared during the post-match press conference. Normally, players carry separate kits for batting and fielding, but Wadhera’s last-minute selection worked in his favor. He credited Punjab Kings’ coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer for their support and guidance, which boosted his confidence on the field.
Coming in to bat at No. 4, Wadhera played a crucial role in Punjab Kings’ chase of the 172-run target set by LSG. His aggressive knock, featuring three boundaries and four sixes, complemented the efforts of Prabhsimran Singh (69 off 34 balls) and Shreyas Iyer (52 not out off 30 balls). Together, they secured an eight-wicket victory for Punjab Kings with 22 balls to spare, propelling the team to the second spot in the IPL points table.
Wadhera’s debut performance has garnered praise from fans and cricket experts alike, highlighting his potential as a valuable asset for Punjab Kings in the ongoing season.
