A week has passed since the final match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, but the thrilling clash between Punjab Kings and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) is still being talked about. Among the most discussed names is Punjab’s Nehal, who impressed everyone with his remarkable performance throughout IPL 2025.
The 24-year-old uncapped batter scored 369 runs in 16 matches, including two half-centuries, 28 fours, and 21 sixes. With a striking strike rate of 145.85, Nehal played a crucial role in helping Punjab Kings reach the IPL final for the first time in 11 years.
However, Nehal failed to deliver in the final against RCB and managed to score only 15 runs. He openly admitted that he could have done better, and that might have made the difference for the team. Speaking in a media interaction, Nehal said, “I hold myself responsible. If I had batted a little quicker, the match could have been ours.”
Nehal also revealed that at the start of the IPL season, he never imagined he would even be a part of the playing XI. But everything changed after a conversation with coach Ricky Ponting. Speaking about his bond with Ponting, Nehal said, “He’s not just a coach, he’s like a mentor to me.”
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Nehal Praised Shreyas Iyer
Nehal also praised Shreyas Iyer, saying he is an excellent leader both on and off the field. He shared that one of Shreyas’ statements left a lasting impact on him: “Don’t make yourself so available that people start taking you for granted.”
Talking about meeting Virat Kohli after the final, Nehal said, “I simply congratulated him and asked if he could meet my family. He was very happy after the win, so I didn’t want to disturb him much.”
When asked about T20 being considered a batter’s game, Nehal disagreed. “That’s not entirely true. Bowlers like Bumrah, Arshdeep, and Krunal Pandya are still consistently performing well. This game is about mindset and confidence.”