Title: Iyer’s popularity denies Inglis & Wadhera credit for win vs MI: Ashwin
In a recent interview, Ravichandran Ashwin, the renowned spinner for Chennai Super Kings (CSK), expressed his opinion on the recent Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 Qualifier 2 match between Punjab Kings (PBKS) and Mumbai Indians (MI). Ashwin, known for his astute cricketing mind, revealed that he believes the popularity of PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer has overshadowed the actual heroes of the match, Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera.
The match in question saw PBKS emerge victorious, with Inglis and Wadhera playing crucial roles in the team’s win. Inglis, in particular, had a remarkable game, scoring 62 runs off 44 balls, including a 20-run over against Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay. Wadhera, on the other hand, contributed 23 runs off 14 balls, helping PBKS to post a competitive total.
Ashwin, who has been a key member of the Indian national team for many years, believes that Inglis and Wadhera’s contributions have been somewhat overlooked due to Iyer’s popularity. “Whenever they needed a boundary, Iyer got it,” Ashwin said. “But the game-changing [batters were Inglis and] Wadhera.”
Ashwin’s comments suggest that he feels Iyer’s reputation as a captain and a batsman has led to him receiving more credit for the team’s win than he actually deserves. Inglis and Wadhera, on the other hand, have been relegated to the background, even though their performances were instrumental in PBKS’ victory.
Ashwin’s opinion is not without merit. In a tournament like the IPL, where individual performances are often scrutinized and celebrated, it’s easy for players to receive more attention and credit than they actually deserve. Iyer, as the captain of PBKS, has been under pressure to perform throughout the tournament, and his success has undoubtedly helped the team. However, Ashwin’s point is that Iyer’s popularity has led to a distortion of the actual facts of the match, with Inglis and Wadhera being overlooked for their contributions.
It’s worth noting that Ashwin’s comments are not a criticism of Iyer as a player or a captain. Iyer has been an excellent performer for PBKS, and his leadership has been instrumental in the team’s success. Ashwin’s point is rather that Iyer’s popularity has overshadowed the actual heroes of the match, and that Inglis and Wadhera deserve more credit for their outstanding performances.
Inglis, in particular, has been a revelation in the IPL this season. His aggressive batting style has earned him a reputation as one of the most exciting young players in the tournament. Ashwin’s comments suggest that he believes Inglis has the potential to be a superstar for India in the future.
“For me, Inglis is a runaway superstar,” Ashwin said. “I think he will see this [season] and take it to the next level. He’s got that kind of ability.”
Ashwin’s opinion is not just limited to Inglis. He also believes that Wadhera has the potential to be a top-class batsman for India. “Wadhera played a great innings,” Ashwin said. “He’s got a great temperament, and he’s got the ability to take the game away from the opposition.”
In conclusion, Ashwin’s comments suggest that Iyer’s popularity has overshadowed the actual heroes of PBKS’ win against MI. Inglis and Wadhera, who played crucial roles in the team’s victory, deserve more credit for their outstanding performances. Ashwin’s opinion is not a criticism of Iyer, but rather a recognition of the actual facts of the match. As a renowned cricketer, Ashwin’s opinion carries weight, and his comments are likely to spark a debate about the importance of recognizing individual performances in cricket.
