Representing your home side is special feeling: Nehal Wadhera on return to Punjab Kings

ANI April 12, 2025 316 views

Nehal Wadhera, a promising 23-year-old left-handed batter, has joined Punjab Kings with immense emotional connection to his home team. His recent domestic cricket performances and focused training suggest he's ready for a breakthrough IPL season. Wadhera emphasizes his commitment to improving technical skills and contributing in crucial match situations. With 114 runs already in three matches and a strong strike rate, he's positioning himself as a key player for Punjab Kings.

"Representing your home side is a special feeling for any player" - Nehal Wadhera
New Delhi, April 11: Nehal Wadhera is set to embark on a new chapter in his Indian Premier League (IPL) journey, this time with the Punjab Kings (PBKS). The left-handed batter, who previously turned heads with his promising performances, is now embracing the opportunity to represent his home team with passion and purpose.

Key Points

1

Young Punjab Kings batter aims to contribute significantly this IPL season

2

Focused on improving technical weaknesses from previous seasons

3

Solid domestic performance sets stage for breakthrough year

4

Eager to help team lift trophy

"This year, I've joined Punjab Kings, and I'm really looking forward to playing for my home team," Wadhera said on JioHotstar.

"Representing your home side is a special feeling for any player. When I was picked by Punjab Kings, it felt amazing--I was truly emotional," he added.

With two seasons of IPL experience under his belt, Wadhera is determined to turn this campaign into a breakthrough year.

"I'm eager to contribute and help Punjab Kings lift the trophy this season," he added. "In the last two IPL seasons, I've focused on improving my weak areas--working specifically on the shots and deliveries that troubled me. My aim is to find more success this year and hopefully make this a breakthrough season," he said.

Wadhera has been in fine touch in domestic cricket as well, something he hopes to translate into consistent performances on the IPL stage.

"We qualified for the domestic season in the Vijay Hazare Trophy, and the Punjab team performed really well. My preparation was solid, and overall, it was a good domestic season for me."

The 23-year-old credits the IPL for accelerating his learning curve.

"I've spent the last two years in the IPL, and they've been valuable for my growth," Wadhera said.

"This year, my expectations remain aligned with my role--it's about stepping up for the team in tough and crunch situations, and helping us move forward," he added.

With a mature head on young shoulders, Nehal Wadhera has 114 runs in three matches, at an average of 57, and at a strike rate of 156.16 with one fifty, smashing 62 against Rajasthan Royals (RR).

The PBKS side is currently placed at the fourth spot in the IPL 2025 points table after winning three out of four matches in the ongoing competition with four points against their name. Their next game in the tournament is against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) at the Rajiv Gandhi International Stadium in Hyderabad on Saturday.

Reader Comments

R
Rahul K.
So happy to see a local boy representing Punjab Kings! 🎉 His passion really shines through in the interview. Hope he gets more chances to play this season - that 62 against RR was class!
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Priya S.
While I admire his enthusiasm, I think PBKS should be careful not to overhype local players. The team needs consistent performers regardless of where they're from. That said, his stats look promising so far!
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Amit J.
That strike rate of 156 is 🔥! Exactly what PBKS needs in the middle order. Hope he gets to bat up the order against SRH.
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Simran D.
Love how grounded he sounds in the interview. Working on weak areas shows great maturity for a 23-year-old. Punjab needs more players like him who understand the local cricket culture.
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Vikram P.
Saw him play in the Vijay Hazare Trophy - his technique against spin has improved massively. If he can translate that form to IPL, PBKS might finally have their middle-order solution!

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Tags:
IPL 2024 Nehal Wadhera Punjab Kings Indian Cricket T20 Cricket
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