'Nobody took Punjab Kings seriously' - Sunil Gavaskar hails PBKS management after crucial win versus MI

Sunil Gavaskar praised the Punjab Kings' (PBKS) management for how they selected players at the IPL 2025 (Indian Premier League) mega auction after the Shreyas Iyer-led side defeated the Mumbai Indians (MI) on Monday, May 26, at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium by seven wickets in Jaipur to assure themselves a top-two finish.

Punjab assembled a fairly inexperienced side at the mega auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, last year. Not many people gave them a chance, even with an astute leader in Shreyas and an experienced coach in Ricky Ponting at the helm. However, the domestic players as well as the overseas stars have gelled magnificently and helped them punch a ticket to the Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur on Thursday, May 29.

Uncapped players like Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, Nehal Wadhera, and Shashank Singh have stepped up under pressure. Overseas players like Josh Inglis and Marco Jansen have also contributed in crucial matches. The Australian wicketkeeper-batter won the Player of the Match award after scoring a match-winning 42-ball 73 against MI.

"Nobody took Punjab Kings seriously. They have also picked wisely at the auction, where they got lot of young, uncapped Indian players. They have seen them. They have seen what they have done, where they have done. There are so many of these state leagues which are happening but you can't always go by what's happening in the state leagues. The bowling attacks may not always be good," Gavaskar was quoted as saying by NDTV Sports.

"Even then if somebody like a Priyansh Arya hits seven sixes you know that this guy has talent. Picking the international players too. They have done it really well. Full marks to them. Really happy for them. I told you before the start of the match that a new name will be written on the trophy, well," he further added.

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Arya, Inglis shine as Punjab cruise to impressive victory

Speaking of the high-voltage IPL 2025 clash, Punjab Kings chased down a 185-run target with consummate ease on Monday. Apart from Inglis' scintillating half-century, Arya also slammed 62 runs off 35 balls before Shreyas (26*) took his team home with nine balls to spare.