Iyer’s popularity denies Inglis & Wadhera credit for win vs MI: Ashwin
The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 has witnessed some thrilling matches, and the Qualifier 2 between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI) was no exception. PBKS emerged victorious in a nail-biting encounter, thanks to the heroics of Josh Inglis, Nehal Wadhera, and Shreyas Iyer. In a recent interview, PBKS spinner Ravichandran Ashwin shed light on the game’s turning points, stating that Iyer’s popularity overshadowed the crucial contributions made by Inglis and Wadhera.
Ashwin, who has been instrumental in PBKS’ success this season, attributed the win to the exceptional batting performances of Inglis and Wadhera. “Whenever they needed a boundary, Iyer got it,” he said, hinting that Iyer’s batting prowess was overshadowed by the impact of Inglis and Wadhera’s innings. “But the game-changing batters were Inglis and Wadhera. Inglis played a 20-run over against Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay,” he added.
Inglis, the Australian wicketkeeper-batter, played a crucial role in PBKS’ victory, amassing 43 runs in 27 balls, including four boundaries and two sixes. Wadhera, the young Indian batter, also chipped in with 34 runs in 24 balls, featuring two fours and a six. Their partnership was instrumental in helping PBKS post a competitive total of 170 runs.
Ashwin’s remarks are significant, as they highlight the importance of recognizing the contributions of all players, not just those who are more prominent in the public eye. Iyer, the PBKS captain, has been in excellent form this season, and his 45 runs in 27 balls were crucial in setting up the win. However, Ashwin’s words suggest that his popularity and status as the captain may have detracted from the achievements of Inglis and Wadhera.
Ashwin’s assessment is also noteworthy given the context of the match. PBKS were struggling to get going, with the score reading 64 for 3 in the 10th over. Inglis and Wadhera’s partnership, which yielded 64 runs, completely turned the game around, setting the stage for Iyer’s late assault.
Inglis’s 20-run over against Bumrah, specifically, was a game-changer. His aggressive batting style, coupled with Wadhera’s solidity, helped PBKS accelerate the scoring rate and take the game away from MI. Ashwin’s comments suggest that this partnership was the turning point in the match, and that Iyer’s contributions, although significant, were somewhat overshadowed by the impact of Inglis and Wadhera.
Ashwin’s prediction that “this runaway superstar” will soon be seen in Team India is also intriguing. Inglis has already shown his potential in the IPL, and his impressive performances have not gone unnoticed. Wadhera, too, has been impressive in his short IPL career, and both players could potentially be considered for future Indian national team assignments.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s comments highlight the importance of recognizing the contributions of all players, not just the more prominent ones. Inglis and Wadhera’s performances were instrumental in PBKS’ win, and their achievements should not be overlooked. As Ashwin said, “Iyer got the boundaries when they needed it, but Inglis and Wadhera were the game-changers.” This sentiment is a reminder that cricket is a team sport, and all players, regardless of their status, play a crucial role in the outcome of the match.
