IPL 2025: Missed Opportunities, Reflects PBKS Coach Sunil Joshi on Defeat to SRH
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Synopsis
Sunil Joshi, the spin-bowling coach for Punjab Kings, reflected on their recent loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad in IPL 2025. Joshi highlighted missed opportunities during the match, where despite a strong batting performance, PBKS fell short on the bowling front, leading to an eight-wicket defeat.
Key Takeaways
- Sunil Joshi acknowledged the missed chances during the match.
- Punjab Kings had a strong batting performance with a total of 245 runs.
- Bowling unit needs improvement, especially in dot-ball percentage.
- Shreyas Iyer emphasized the need for strategic adjustments.
- Upcoming match against Kolkata Knight Riders at home.
Hyderabad, April 13 (NationPress) After experiencing their second defeat of the season against Sunrisers Hyderabad in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, the spin-bowling coach of Punjab Kings, Sunil Joshi, expressed that the team had several opportunities during the thrilling match but was unable to take advantage of them. Following three victories in four matches, PBKS aimed to ascend the rankings but faced an eight-wicket loss against Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The Kings demonstrated their aggressive batting prowess, finishing with a total of 245/6, yet fell short in the bowling department as Sunrisers Hyderabad successfully chased the target with 9 balls remaining.
In his remarks on the match, Sunil Joshi stated, “The positive aspect to take away from this match is that our batters are certainly in impressive form. However, the bowling needs enhancement, and we must boost our dot-ball percentage. That was what we overlooked while bowling on this wicket. On a decent wicket, the only distinction could be the dot-ball percentage during the middle overs. That's crucial, and we couldn’t seize half of the opportunities.”
He further mentioned, “Our bowlers didn’t underperform; it’s just that it was a good wicket. Fans come to witness more sixes and boundaries rather than five-wicket hauls. So, it was a chance for us to excel, but unfortunately, we missed our opportunities.”
Openers Prabhsimran Singh (42 off 23) and Priyansh Arya (36 off 13) gave the Kings’ innings a quick start, followed by Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy innings of 82 runs in just 36 balls. Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis kept the momentum alive with an unbeaten 34 off just 11 deliveries, significantly contributing to the total of 245.
Nonetheless, Sunrisers Hyderabad mounted a robust counter-offensive, with Abhishek Sharma scoring a century, amassing 141 runs off 55 balls. Although Punjab Kings’ bowling unit, spearheaded by Arshdeep Singh and Yuzvendra Chahal, managed to dismiss the opening pair later in the match, Heinrich Klaasen and Ishan Kishan ensured that the Sunrisers emerged victorious.
PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer also shared that the bowling unit could have performed better, promising that the team would return stronger after reassessing their strategies.
During the post-match presentation, he noted, “We didn’t bowl to our potential; we need to regroup and make necessary adjustments. The opening partnership (between Abhishek and Head) was exceptional; they didn’t provide us with many chances to capitalize. We could have improved our over-rotation.”
Punjab Kings are set to return to their home ground for a match against Kolkata Knight Riders on April 15 at the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh.
