Did Harpreet Brar ‘make a big difference’ in the 10-run victory over RR, according to PBKS bowling coach Sunil Joshi?

Jaipur, May 18 (NationPress) The Punjab Kings reignited their campaign in the current season of the Indian Premier League with a remarkable win against the Rajasthan Royals at Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur, on Sunday.

Choosing to bat first, Punjab faced early setbacks as the in-form openers Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Australian batter Mitchell Owen were dismissed. However, Nehal Wadhera (70 runs off 37 balls) formed vital partnerships with captain Shreyas Iyer (30 runs off 25 balls) and Shashank Singh (59 runs off 30 balls), enabling his team to post a formidable total of 219/5 in 20 overs. Azmatullah also contributed with a quick 21* runs off just 9 balls to bolster the innings.

During the chase, Rajasthan got off to a promising start with Yashasvi Jaiswal (50 runs off 25 balls) and Vaibhav Suryavanshi (40 runs off 15 balls) putting together a solid 76-run opening partnership. However, Punjab's left-arm spinner Harpreet Brar (3/22 in 4 overs) made crucial breakthroughs by dismissing both openers, effectively containing the opposition. Despite a valiant effort from Dhruv Jurel (53 runs off 31 balls), the Royals ultimately fell short by 10 runs, handing Punjab Kings the victory.

In the post-match press conference, Punjab Kings' spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi lauded Harpreet Brar for his impactful performance, stating, "He has been remarkably consistent. He performed excellently last year as well. Whenever given a chance, he has delivered, and today, he made a significant difference for Punjab Kings. Our strategy was to utilize Brar to take wickets during opposition partnerships, and he executed that perfectly."

"It’s a collective effort. A lot of strategic planning takes place behind the scenes. Whenever a partnership occurs, our focus is on bowling dot balls and claiming wickets. That was the approach we employed, and it paid off for us," he elaborated.

Joshi also commended Shreyas Iyer for his captaincy and adept bowling changes, attributing the team's success to his strategic acumen. "Shreyas is a proactive leader and a savvy cricketer. He understands when to make necessary adjustments. He is experienced and a title-winning captain who has always enjoyed the confidence of his players. Engaging with the players has a significant impact on their performance and on the team as a whole," he remarked.

Meanwhile, Iyer also recognized Brar's contributions during the post-match presentation ceremony and discussed the team's strategy. "Brar has been consistently impressive in practice. He was eager for this opportunity, and today he showcased his best performance. His mindset has been remarkable throughout. The team was in high spirits following the break, and it was the right moment for us to come together and exhibit a winning mentality, regardless of the circumstances," Iyer stated.

Brar, who received the Player of the Match award, dedicated it to his wife and shared insights from discussions with head coach Ricky Ponting leading up to the match.

"I feel fantastic. I want to dedicate this award to my wife, as it's my first since our marriage. We train extensively against left-handers, as Ponting Sir emphasizes that a left-hander can dismiss another left-hander. I focused on my strengths and was prepared for their approach. The game plan was to avoid giving away boundaries and to bowl tight lines," he explained.

Punjab Kings will next face the Delhi Capitals at the same venue on Saturday, May 24.