New Delhi, April 24 (NationPress) Nehal Wadhera’s remarkable talent for thriving under pressure was on full display as he scored an unbeaten 33 off 19 deliveries, leading Punjab Kings to a thrilling win over Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) during a 14-overs-a-side match at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on April 18. Chasing a target of 96 on a bowler-friendly pitch, Wadhera entered the game with PBKS sitting at 52/3, which quickly deteriorated to 53/4.

The pressure was intense as Wadhera faced four dot balls in the ninth over bowled by leg-spinner Suyash Sharma. With 43 runs needed from 33 balls, it seemed likely that Wadhera might attempt a risky shot and get out, a scenario that RCB fans anticipated.

However, his elegant four and six off Suyash calmed the nerves of PBKS and hushed the crowd. More than the runs, it was the quality of Wadhera’s shots that stood out – a reverse hit threading the gap between point and short third, followed by a spectacular lofted shot that soared over long-on.

While Wadhera added more boundaries, those two shots in the ninth over proved to be the game-changers. In a virtual roundtable hosted by PBKS on Thursday, Wadhera shared that his fierce determination to win, following a previous missed opportunity, was key to their exhilarating victory in Bengaluru.

“First of all, I enjoy playing in challenging situations. My mindset is that those who can win matches under pressure are the ones who can represent India. That match was a great chance for me to showcase my abilities,” he stated.

“The game against RR was also an opportunity, but I regret not being able to clinch the win for the team, despite scoring well (62). I wasn't fully satisfied because we couldn't finish.”

“Regarding the match against RCB, the coach advised me, ‘Nehal, we just need to score at a run-a-ball pace. You can take it easy.' I agreed, but when I got out there, I felt immense pressure from RCB. I realized it was my duty to guide my team to victory,” Wadhera recounted when responding to an inquiry from IANS.

With senior finisher Shashank Singh at the other end, all eyes were on the young Wadhera to deliver the final touches. His confidence to attack after analyzing Suyash also contributed to the momentum.

“I felt that RCB was exerting pressure on us, and it was my moment to counterattack. Their bowlers kept going, and I believed we needed to put them under pressure instead of panicking. In short target situations, an early wicket can be highly stressful for the batting side.”

“When Suyash bowled, I usually take the first few balls to gauge the pitch and conditions. I quickly realized he was trying to deceive me with a googly, thinking it would be easy for me to hit him for six.”

“I decided to go with the flow and told the non-striker, ‘If you're okay with singles, go ahead, but I'm going to attack all the bowlers’. That’s when the match shifted dramatically in our favor,” he concluded.

After sealing the victory for PBKS, Wadhera was thrilled to receive encouraging words from his idol, the legendary Virat Kohli, regarding his batting evolution since entering the IPL.

“After the match, I approached him and asked, ‘Virat bhai, you've seen me play for the last two years. Do you notice any changes in my game or areas for improvement?’”

“Being a huge fan of his, I value any advice he gives. He responded, ‘Nehal, I liked your batting.’ I explained, ‘Virat bhai, that was my plan, and I executed it.’ He agreed, saying, ‘Your plan was solid; you need to attack the bowlers in low-scoring games.’”

“He added, ‘I can see your composure and the thoughtful shots you’re playing.’ He was pleased to hear about my preparations and generously shared his experiences with me, which I greatly appreciated,” he reflected.

During his time with Mumbai Indians, Wadhera often sought help from either Suryakumar Yadav or Tilak Varma to strike up a conversation with Kohli. Amidst a rain delay in Bengaluru, Wadhera received a delightful surprise when Kohli addressed him by name.

“When our match was delayed, Virat bhai was conversing with Shreyas Iyer and called out to me, saying, ‘How are you, Nehal?’ I was genuinely shocked that he remembered my name. This moment brought me immense joy and opened the door for me to approach him with questions.”

“That was a real icebreaker, allowing me to realize that Virat bhai knew my name, and I could engage in conversation. After his remarkable innings in Mullanpur, we had a chat, and I thoroughly enjoyed it,” he added.

A congratulatory call from Yuvraj Singh, a childhood hero for Wadhera, made his Friday night even more memorable. “He congratulated me for my performance and encouraged me on how I could play for India.”

“His call and personal words meant the world to me. I hold him in high regard, and I’m grateful that a legend like Yuvraj Singh shared tips on how I can advance and refine my game,” he expressed.

Wadhera’s current form in PBKS colors during IPL 2025 – scoring 189 runs across seven matches with an average of 37.8 and a strike rate of 146.51 – marks a significant turnaround from a year ago. During IPL 2024, Wadhera struggled with MI, accumulating only 109 runs at an average of 18.17. This slump continued in the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy, where he scored just 97 runs for Punjab at a strike rate of 104.3.

Wadhera acknowledges that even elite cricketers face slumps despite their hard work, a challenge he encountered in the last Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. He considers himself resilient and recognized that his success in IPL 2025 was in his hands, prompting him to prepare thoroughly.

“I reviewed my videos to identify the issues that affected my performance in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. I performed well in that tournament previously, aiming to gather all possible positives. I also reflected on my weaknesses that could hinder my future performances,” he remarked.

“I've worked on achieving better consistency, recognizing which shots could be problematic in IPL and the specific deliveries that opposing teams might target early on. This effort seems to be paying off now,” he stated.

Furthermore, the fact that PBKS invested INR 4.2 crore on him at last year’s auction and organized training camps in Chandigarh greatly benefited Wadhera. Coaches Sunil Joshi and Trevor Gonsalves meticulously guided every aspect of his game. Ricky Ponting’s mentorship during PBKS’s pre-season camp in Dharamshala also helped Wadhera adapt to becoming a versatile middle-order batsman in the tournament.

The stiff competition for T20I batting positions means Wadhera hasn’t yet received a national call-up. Nonetheless, his participation in last year’s Emerging Men’s Asia Cup in Oman indicates he remains firmly in contention. While Wadhera is uncertain if IPL 2025 will be his breakout season, he is focused on helping PBKS secure as many victories as possible, mirroring his performance against RCB on a challenging surface at Chinnaswamy Stadium on April 18.

“I’m not sure if this will be my breakthrough season, but I am determined to win as many matches as I can for my team, which is my primary goal. I don’t approach matches with the mindset of scoring 100 or reaching 200-250. Overthinking can lead to underperformance, which I’ve experienced.”

“When you set lofty goals, you often discover after a few deliveries whether you’re in form and can take on the bowlers. My intent is to focus on the ball and trust my practice. I know that out of ten shots, six will connect well.”

“It’s possible to get out occasionally, but I must trust my training. Now is the time to showcase my hard work on this platform, which I’ve been doing for the past three years. I will continue to follow my preparation strategy, ensuring that my practice is not just about hitting balls randomly in the nets. My practice is intentional, and I keep track of my runs, focusing on how to secure boundaries and singles. I aim for consistency in matches, mirroring my practice efforts,” he concluded.