IPL 2025: Nehal Wadhera’s Surprise Call-Up Turns into Match-Winning Knock for PBKS

Drafted in moments before the toss, Wadhera’s unbeaten 43 seals Punjab Kings’ eight-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants in IPL 2025

Lucknow, April 2: Nehal Wadhera wasn’t expecting to play on Tuesday — he didn’t even bring a second kit. But when he got the late nod from coach Ricky Ponting, he made it count with a stunning unbeaten 43 off just 25 balls, helping Punjab Kings (PBKS) cruise to an eight-wicket win over Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in the 13th match of IPL 2025.

In a post-match press interaction, the 23-year-old left-hander admitted he was caught off guard by his sudden inclusion.

“I didn’t know I would be playing. I only brought one kit. Normally, I carry two — one for batting, one for fielding. I even came in full sleeves,” Wadhera said, smiling.

He credited the spontaneity for his cool-headed approach.

“If I had known earlier, I might have overthought it. Sometimes not knowing helps. It turned out to be a lucky day for me.”

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Ricky Ponting’s Last-Minute Signal

Wadhera only got a hint during warm-ups when Ponting approached him casually.

“Ricky came and said, ‘If we bowl first, you’re in the eleven.’ I was surprised. I thought maybe he made a mistake,” he laughed.

Once PBKS bowled first, Wadhera quickly adjusted, warming up mid-innings knowing he’d be called to field.

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Clinical Run-Chase by PBKS

Chasing 172, Punjab lost Priyansh Arya (8) early, but Prabhsimran Singh’s explosive 69 (34 balls) and Shreyas Iyer’s unbeaten 52 provided a strong foundation. Wadhera joined the skipper and unleashed a flurry of boundaries and sixes to seal the match with 22 balls to spare.

His knock included three fours and four sixes, showing why he might be a permanent fixture in the XI going forward.

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LSG’s Struggles and Scorecard Snapshot

Despite fighting fifties from Nicholas Pooran (44) and Ayush Badoni (41), and a quick cameo by Abdul Samad (27 off 12), LSG could only muster 171/7. Arshdeep Singh starred with 3/43, while Marco Jansen, Lockie Ferguson, Glenn Maxwell, and Yuzvendra Chahal also chipped in.

PBKS now sit second on the table with two wins in two, while LSG drop to sixth.

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From unexpected call-up to clutch finisher, Nehal Wadhera’s journey from the bench to the headlines proves that sometimes, not knowing is half the magic.