IPL 2025: Punjab's Bowling Coach Confident Against LSG's Spin Attack

Lucknow, March 31 (NationPress) Punjab Kings (PBKS) kicked off their season with a strong performance, clinching an 11-run victory against Gujarat Titans in their first match. After a week-long hiatus, Shreyas Iyer's team is set to compete against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) at the Ekana Cricket Stadium on Tuesday. Although a long break in a fast-paced tournament could disrupt their rhythm, the Punjab Kings' camp feels this interval has provided them the opportunity to adjust and refine their skills for the challenges ahead.

"Our tournament start has been somewhat gradual this season in terms of games played. This gives us a chance to sharpen our skills for the upcoming challenge. We anticipate a spin-dominated game tomorrow, something we did not encounter in our opening match. The players have been preparing specifically for this over the past few days. The advantage of this week-long gap is that it allowed us to gear up for it," stated fast bowling coach James Hopes during the pre-match press conference on Monday.

The Lucknow squad is facing a wave of injuries, with their fast bowlers Mayank Yadav, Mohsin Khan, Avesh Khan, and Akash Deep all on the mend. Consequently, they have leaned significantly on their spin bowling lineup featuring Digvesh Rathi, Ravi Bishnoi, Shahbaz Ahmed, and Manimaran Siddharth in their initial two matches.

It is expected that Tuesday's game will follow a similar trend when Punjab takes to bat. When questioned about whether Lucknow would prepare a pitch conducive to spin bowling, Hopes remarked that the home team is entitled to utilize their conditions to their advantage and that Punjab must adapt accordingly.

"I believe it is reasonable for a home team to benefit from their own ground conditions. If you have a spin-heavy attack, a spin-friendly wicket is advantageous. We must prepare ourselves accordingly. All teams in this tournament are capable of playing on a turning pitch," he said.

Elaborating further, the former Australian fast bowler noted, "In recent years, the IPL has become increasingly batting-focused with high scores. I have not encountered any pitch that is unplayable. If the surface slightly favors the home team, that's perfectly acceptable."

Additionally, captain Shreyas Iyer has received significant accolades for his composed leadership during the opening match. His choice to utilize Impact Player Vyshak Vijaykumar at a critical juncture turned out to be a brilliant move that secured victory for his team.

When asked about his perspective on Iyer's leadership, Hopes mentioned, "Iyer brings a sense of calm to any team he plays for. His batting skills are world-class, and he is now recognized as one of the top short-format cricketers globally."

"From a leadership standpoint, he maintains composure on the field. The bowlers praised him after the first game. His communication is clear, and he doesn't lose his cool when the situation gets tense. We are fortunate to have him as our captain," Hopes concluded.