February 11, 2025: Young Indian cricketer Nehal Wadhera is all set for an exciting Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season with Punjab Kings (PBKS) after his impactful stint with Mumbai Indians (MI). The 24-year-old batter, who impressed during his time with MI, is looking forward to representing his home franchise, Punjab Kings, and is eager to make a significant mark this season.
Wadhera expressed his excitement about playing under the new leadership of Shreyas Iyer and learning from legendary coach Ricky Ponting. He sees this move as a crucial step toward his dream of representing India at the international level. “I’m looking forward to playing in a fresh environment, with new leadership and the guidance of Ricky Ponting. I see this as an important step toward my ultimate goal of playing for India,” Wadhera said.
With India offering more opportunities for young talents in the T20I setup, Wadhera remains optimistic about earning his maiden national call-up, provided he can maintain consistent performances. “If I have a good season, you never know—maybe I’ll get the call-up. I’ve been putting in the hard work and proving myself both in the IPL and domestic cricket,” he added.
Wadhera is preparing for any role that Punjab Kings might ask of him, whether it’s batting at the top order or finishing games in the lower order. “I’m well-prepared to bat at any position the team wants me to. It’s all about being adaptable and ready for any challenges,” he explained.
As a Punjab-born cricketer, representing PBKS is special for Wadhera. “I’m really excited to play for my home team. I’ve been playing for Punjab in domestic cricket for a long time, and getting the chance to play for Punjab Kings is truly special,” he shared, also expressing gratitude for the warm support from local fans in Ludhiana and across Punjab.
Apart from the fan support, Wadhera is looking forward to working with the new team management, including Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting. “I’m really excited to work with Shreyas Iyer, a fantastic white-ball player. I’ve watched him bat closely, and I’m looking forward to learning from him,” said Wadhera. He also expressed his admiration for Ponting, acknowledging the former Australian captain as a legend. “Ricky Ponting is an absolute legend. He was a great player of fast bowlers, and I have heard great things about him. I’m excited to work under his guidance,” he added.
Wadhera is eager to sharpen his finishing skills by learning from experienced power-hitters like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis. “I look forward to learning from them, especially their ability to handle pressure during the death overs. They have a lot of experience, having played in World Cups and other high-pressure situations,” he said.
Reflecting on his time with Mumbai Indians, Wadhera acknowledged that while his first season was decent, he felt he could have done better in his second year. “My first season with MI was good, but in my second year, I feel like I could have performed even better. But there were a lot of learnings from my time at MI,” he said.
Now, with a fresh challenge at PBKS, Wadhera aims to apply his learnings, particularly in the role of finishing games for his team. “The biggest takeaway from MI is finishing games, and that’s what I’ll focus on at PBKS as well,” he concluded.
With a strong mindset, determination, and the chance to play for his home team, Nehal Wadhera is ready for a breakout IPL 2025 season. If he delivers consistent performances, his dream of representing India could soon become a reality.