Vaughan: PBKS Opener Prabhsimran Singh is a Game Changer, According to Ricky Ponting
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A few eyebrows were raised when Punjab Kings retained only two cricketers - both of them uncapped - before the mega auctions and Prabhsimran Singh was one of them. Right at the beginning of IPL 2025, their decision was proven right. Shashank Singh played a breathtaking innings in their season opener against Gujarat Titans and Prabhsimran repaid the faith in the next match against Lucknow Super Giants by hitting 69 off 34 balls. Prabhsmiran hit three sixes and nine boundaries, scoring at a strike rate of almost 203 on Tuesday night in Lucknow. It was mainly due to his innings that PBKS were able to chase down LSG's 172-run target in 16.2 overs with eight wickets in the bank.
After Prabhsimran's dazzling display, former England captain Michael Vaughan said PBKS head Ricky Ponting must have had a role in his retention. The legendary Australian skipper wouldn't waste a retention just for the sake of it, Vaughan said. He must have seen that spark in Prabhsimran.
"I think it's just the start of his journey in cricket. He's had flashes. They've retained him because he's a brilliant player. Ricky Ponting wouldn't have retained someone without saying, 'We want that kid,', said Vaughan on Cricbuzz.
Prabhsimran Singh has been synonymous with Punjab Kings. Captains, coaches, support staff members, and big players have come and gone, but he has remained a constant part of the PBKS set-up since 2019. Prabhsimran, Arshdeep Singh, and Harpreet Brar are the only three cricketers who have turned up for Pujab in every season of IPL in the past seven years. The right-handed wicketkeeper-batter only got to play eight matches in the first four years, but he started to come on his own in the 2023 season. In the last two years, he has scored close to 700 runs at an average strike rate of 166.
'Prabhsimran's confidence will go through the roof': Vaughan
Vaughan expressed that this marks merely the beginning for the 24-year-old, who is poised to improve as his confidence at this level increases. "He possesses a unique quality, and I am already witnessing something exceptional that can yield significant results. Tonight was impressive, but he has the potential to achieve even greater heights as his confidence soars. When you start winning and play a role in that victory, your confidence receives a substantial boost," he remarked.
Discussing the factors contributing to Prabhsimran's success, Vaughan noted that the PBKS opener embodies an ideal combination of power and finesse. "In T20 cricket, power is essential, as the most successful players are those who can strike the ball powerfully down the ground while also demonstrating a degree of finesse. As an opposing captain, you must consider where to position your fielders. Should I place them behind square or in front of square? It's important to remember that during the first six overs, only two fielders are permitted outside the circle."
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