April 2, 2025: Former New Zealand skipper Kane Williamson has praised the Punjab Kings (PBKS) for their strong performance and balanced squad following their victory over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Speaking on Jio Hotstar, Williamson shared his views on the team’s impressive start to the season, highlighting their cohesive playing style, versatile squad, and effective leadership under Shreyas Iyer.
Williamson was particularly impressed with Iyer’s leadership and calm demeanor. He noted that Iyer’s focused approach had a positive influence on his teammates, creating a buzz within the squad. “Shreyas is moving to the beat of his drum; he remains completely unfazed by external noise and just focuses on playing his game,” said Williamson. “He carries a real swagger, which is fantastic to see, and it seems to be infectious for the players around him.”
The former New Zealand captain also pointed out the remarkable balance of the PBKS squad, with various players stepping up and contributing in each match. “They are playing beautifully, complementing each other exceptionally well,” Williamson said, acknowledging the diverse range of talent within the team. He noted that PBKS had already utilized around 14 players in just two games, with different impact players making significant contributions each time.
The Punjab Kings registered a dominant victory over Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow. Opener and wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh and captain Shreyas Iyer were key figures in the win, both scoring fifties to guide their team to a comfortable victory.
With this win, Punjab Kings moved to second place in the IPL 2025 points table, while Lucknow Super Giants slipped to sixth position. Williamson’s praise for the team further highlights the strong start they’ve had this season, and they remain one of the teams to watch out for in the competition.