3 Potential Impact Player Options For Punjab Kings In IPL 2025

Bhargav Dixit

Punjab Kings' players are training in Dharamsala. [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/X]Punjab Kings' players are training in Dharamsala. [Source: @PunjabKingsIPL/X]

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Slated to start afresh yet again, Punjab Kings would be hoping to embark on a title-winning journey under head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer. Other than being a North Indian franchise without an Indian Premier League title, another commonality between PBKS and Delhi Capitals is Ponting and Iyer being at the helm.

Under them, DC finished as the third-, second- and top-placed team between 2019-2021. The duo powered the franchise to its first final in 13 years in 2020. At Kings, they would not only want to propel them to a first final in 11 years but also a first title in 18 years.

In the esteemed presence of multiple overseas all-rounders namely Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, Azmatullah Omarzai and Aaron Hardie, Punjab are highly likely to use specialists as Impact Players. They could be:

3. Priyansh Arya

Anyone who followed the inaugural season of the Delhi Premier League last year would’ve been convinced around South Delhi Superstarz opener Priyansh Arya becoming the next big thing in the IPL. Only player to breach the 600-run mark, the left-handed batter was also able to hit six sixes in an over in a swashbuckling season.

Following his 608 runs at a strike rate of 198.69, Arya also made it to Delhi’s white-ball squads to emerge as their highest run-scorer in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. A strike rate of 176.63 across nine innings included a century against Uttar Pradesh (consisting of Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Shivam Mavi and Piyush Chawla).

With his 23 sixes being the fourth-highest in the season, Punjab fans would be delighted to see someone of his potential smashing bowlers to all parts of the stadium. In fact, don’t be surprised if he opens the batting alongside wicket-keeper batter Prabhsimran Singh from the first match itself.

2. Nehal Wadhera

The above-mentioned long list of overseas all-rounders might not create a middle-order spot for Nehal Wadhera. As a result, the Impact Player rule will come to his rescue to allow him to showcase his prowess especially after having failed to capitalize on an impressive maiden IPL season at Mumbai Indians a couple of years ago.

Wadhera, who hasn’t been able to replicate that success even in List A cricket, has a point to prove. Used in this capacity by MI last season, Wadhera knows what would be required of him in crunch situations. With potential in abundance, standing tall on the same would benefit both the left-handed batter and his team. Playing for his home franchise should come across as an additional motivation to perform.



1. Suryansh Shedge

What Arya is against the new ball, Suryansh Shedge is to death overs. Yet to debut in the IPL like Arya, Shedge is highly likely to leave a mark in whatever batting opportunities come his way.

As was the case during his stint at Mumbai during the previous SMAT season, expect Shedge to hit the ground running by clearing boundaries repeatedly. Having already excelled under Iyer, Shedge would want to benefit from playing under his captain in domestic cricket.

For the unversed, Shedge’s strike rate of 251.92 was highest in the last SMAT season. Furthermore, it was the third-highest for all seasons of the tournament. Since his T20 debut, no batter around the world has scored runs at this mind-boggling strike rate. Exciting. Isn’t it?