PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi says openers Prabhsimran, Priyansh are reaping rewards of pre-season effort after prolific 120-run stand against champs KKR in rain-abandoned tie
Punjab Kings’s Priyansh Arya (right) celebrates his half-century against Kolkata Knight Riders with teammate Prabhsimran Singh in Kolkata on Saturday. Pic/PTI
Both Punjab Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders met Saturday’s washout at the Eden Gardens with a shrug of the shoulders. “There was an opportunity for two points but we have to accept we got just one,” PBKS spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi said after the umpires declared the match ‘abandoned’ amidst a steady drizzle, a little more than an hour after rain stopped play.
KKR pacer Vaibhav Arora too felt they missed the chance to chase down the two points, but he may have breathed a sigh of relief when he added that “one point is better than none.”
Also Read: IPL 2025: MI's all-round show helps defeat LSG by 54 runs
Sunil Joshi
With the Kings putting up a challenging 201 for 4 on the board, Joshi, of course, had more to talk about, particularly after another top-drawer performance from the openers. “I think it’s all about confidence,” Joshi said, adding that it came from the volume of work they have put into their batting in the pre-season. He was impressed by how much Prabhsimran, who scored a 49-ball 83 here, has matured over the last couple of years. “He has consistently been performing in white-ball [games] since last year,” the former India left-arm orthodox spinner reminded.
Prabhsimran’s opening partner, 24-year-old Priyansh Arya, made his debut for the Kings this season and was on the ball straightaway. He hammered a century off just 39 deliveries against Chennai Super Kings earlier this month. On Saturday, the prolific left-hander scored 69 off 35. “Credit should be given to both; they batted according to the pitch conditions and had a very positive approach,” said Joshi.
KKR need to tighten their game. Before rain stopped play, the waywardness of the pacers was punished, catches went abegging and ground fielding lacked sharpness. The no-ball in Sunil Narine’s third over, and the six off the resultant free-hit, was a reminder for how a moment’s lapse can turn a 15-run over into a 22-run disaster. The Knights have long lost the luxury of being spendthrifts, even briefly, as they face the challenge of winning pretty much every game from here.
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
