Harpreet Brar Spins Magic, Punjab Kings Stun Royals in Jaipur Thriller
Spin coach Sunil Joshi lauds Harpreet Brar; Captain Shreyas Iyer hails team’s comeback spirit after the break
BNH NETWORK
HIGHLIGHTS
- Punjab’s Revival: Nehal Wadhera’s 70 revives Punjab after early setbacks.
- Brar’s Impact: Harpreet Brar’s double strike turns the game.
- Coach’s Backing: Sunil Joshi applauds Brar’s maturity and consistency.
- Captain’s Role: Shreyas Iyer’s tactical acumen proves decisive.
- Emotional Tribute: Brar dedicates award to wife; thanks Ponting’s advice.
- Next Clash: Punjab Kings to take on Delhi Capitals on May 24.
Wadhera’s Firepower Leads Punjab’s Recovery
Jaipur- Punjab Kings overcame an early collapse to post a commanding 219/5, thanks to Nehal Wadhera’s explosive 70 off 37 balls. After losing in-form openers Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Mitchell Owen early, Wadhera formed key partnerships with captain Shreyas Iyer (30 off 25) and Shashank Singh (59* off 30) to steady the innings. A late cameo from Azmatullah (21* off 9) gave Punjab a powerful finish.
Brar Breaks Royals' Backbone
In reply, Rajasthan Royals began their chase with intent, racing to 76/0 in just 5.5 overs courtesy of Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 off 25) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 off 15). But the momentum shifted swiftly when Harpreet Brar, Punjab’s left-arm spinner, dismissed both openers and halted the charge. He finished with match-winning figures of 3/22 in his four overs.
Joshi: “He Made a Big Difference”
Post-match, Punjab Kings' spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi praised Brar’s consistency and impact. “He made a big difference for Punjab Kings. Our plan was to bring him in when the Royals were building a partnership — and he delivered,” Joshi said, also crediting the team’s strategy of building pressure through dot balls.
Iyer’s Captaincy Draws Praise
Joshi commended Shreyas Iyer’s smart captaincy and timely bowling rotations. “He’s a street-smart, title-winning captain who knows how to make subtle changes,” he said. Iyer, meanwhile, acknowledged Brar’s hunger and mental preparation, stating, “He has been consistent and wanted this opportunity. He delivered under pressure.”
Emotional Brar Dedicates Award to Wife
Receiving the Player of the Match award, Harpreet Brar dedicated his first post-marriage trophy to his wife. “It feels special. Ponting Sir advised us that a left-arm spinner can trouble left-hand batters — I stuck to my strengths,” Brar shared, also revealing how team planning focused on denying easy boundaries to Royals' power hitters.
Punjab Gears Up for Delhi Challenge
With playoff hopes rekindled, Punjab Kings now turn their focus to their next clash — a face-off against Delhi Capitals on Saturday, May 24, again at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium.
