Iyer’s Popularity Denies Inglis & Wadhera Credit for Win vs MI: Ashwin
In a recent interview, Ravichandran Ashwin, the star spinner of the Chennai Super Kings (CSK), expressed his thoughts on PBKS’ thrilling victory over MI in IPL 2025 Qualifier 2. Ashwin, known for his forthright opinions, highlighted what he believed was the true story behind Punjab Kings’ (PBKS) win. According to Ashwin, the popularity of PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer overshadowed the crucial contributions of Josh Inglis and Nehal Wadhera, the game-changers who helped their team secure the win.
Inglis, a 20-year-old Australian batter, played a key role in PBKS’ victory, scoring 42 runs off 24 balls, including a 20-run over against Jasprit Bumrah in the powerplay. Wadhera, a 21-year-old Indian batter, also made a significant impact, scoring 31 runs off 23 balls. Their batting prowess helped PBKS post a competitive total of 193, which ultimately proved to be the winning margin.
Ashwin, who has played for both CSK and India, believes that Iyer’s popularity denied the credit that Inglis and Wadhera deserve for their outstanding performances. In an interview with a leading cricket publication, Ashwin stated, “Whenever they needed boundary, Iyer got it. But the game-changing [batters were Inglis and] Wadhera.”
Ashwin’s statement highlights the importance of Inglis and Wadhera’s contributions to PBKS’ win. While Iyer did score a crucial 51 runs off 41 balls, his batting was not as influential as that of Inglis and Wadhera, who played the game-changing overs. Inglis’ 20-run over against Bumrah, a world-class bowler, was particularly noteworthy, as it helped PBKS accelerate their scoring rate and set a strong platform for their chase.
Ashwin’s criticism of Iyer’s narrative is not unexpected, given his reputation for speaking his mind. As a seasoned international cricketer, Ashwin has a deep understanding of the game and is well-equipped to analyze performances. His comments are likely to spark a debate among fans and experts alike, with some agreeing with Ashwin’s assessment and others defending Iyer’s role in the game.
Ashwin’s praise for Inglis and Wadhera is also noteworthy, as it highlights their potential to make a significant impact in international cricket. Both players have already made a name for themselves in domestic cricket, and Ashwin’s endorsement is likely to propel them to greater heights. Inglis, in particular, has been touted as a future star of Australian cricket, and Ashwin’s words of praise are likely to give him an added boost of confidence.
In conclusion, Ashwin’s comments serve as a reminder that cricket is a team sport, and individual performances are often influenced by the contributions of others. While Iyer played an important role in PBKS’ win, Inglis and Wadhera were the game-changers who made the difference. Ashwin’s words of praise for the latter two are a testament to their talent and potential, and fans can expect to see them make a significant impact in international cricket in the years to come.
