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Nehal Wadhera, the batter for Punjab Kings, received the warmest of greetings the other day from Indian cricket legend Virat Kohli and to say the least, it was something to remember. Their IPL 2025 showdown against Royal Challengers was important in its own right, but Kohli's genuine interest in the Punjab athlete's career was awe-inspiring.
So far, Wadhera has been exceptionally silent, but his impact has begun during IPL 2025. Alongside other players, he is projected to perform at his best for this season. Based on current statistics, the Punjab athlete's 189 runs at a remarkable 37.8 average and 146.5 strike rate as a No. 4 or 5 tell a compelling story: he's set to lead the league in performance this IPL.
In analyzing his experience, Wadhera stated, “the incredible performance by Kohli at Mullanpur helped boost my confidence, but the important bit came earlier when I was reliably told to back my abilities. After I smashed that utterly brilliant shot and Kohli came directly to me to ask why I hadn't spoken to him before, everything changed.”
“During the conversation we had post-match, I inquired about the changes he has observed in my batting over the last two years and noticed I fully admired him. Was so, so," said Wadhera, “I also wanted to learn from.”
"He placed immense value on my ability to remain calm, yet aggressive, when batting, especially in high-pressure situations. To that end, he does always make sure to tell me what I have done well. In particular, he talked about my shot selection being more mature, which shot selection is not something that is easy for me.”
“Shreyas’s leadership skills are remarkable, and the fact that he worked with Ricky Ponting at Delhi Capitals makes his collaboration even better. They have fostered an environment that is like a family so that people like me feel comfortable, and newcomers are very much welcomed. Every decision Shreyas makes on the field paints a picture of a positive team-first culture which lifts the energy of the entire group.”
Punjab Kings are currently sitting at five wins out of eight matches and are looking good for playoffs. After more than a decade of waiting, Wadhera’s consistent form might be exactly what is needed to turn the odds in their favor during the playoffs.
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