How One Statement from Shashank Singh Got Punjab Kings into the Top 2 of the Points Table

Over the last 11 years of the IPL, Punjab Kings have gone through a journey where they have constantly hit so many lows in their IPL journey that the fans were always ready for a heartbreak. However, coming to the IPL 2025 with a revamped squad, consisting of Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, the fans started believing again for a miracle. And on 26th May 2025, the wishes of the fans were finally fulfilled as Punjab Kings secured a spot in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025 after defeating Mumbai Indians by 7 wickets in Jaipur. It was a high-stakes match, as the winner would directly qualify for the top two, and PBKS rose to the occasion. This is the first time since 2014 that Punjab Kings have reached the playoffs. That year, they went all the way to the final but lost in a last-over thriller to Kolkata Knight Riders.

𝐁𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭! 𝐋𝐢𝐯𝐞𝐝 𝐢𝐭! 😤@shashank2191 pic.twitter.com/2dE7K0s5nk

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 26, 2025

While the playoff qualification might seem like a result of the last league match, the journey truly began two months ago when Shashank Singh appeared on a podcast with Shubankar Mishra. When asked about his prediction for the top four, Shashank boldly said, “Punjab Kings number one. Top two bol raha hu,” confidently claiming PBKS would finish in the top two. That statement, once seen as overly optimistic, has now gone viral after coming true. Shashank revealed that his belief in the team only grew after meeting Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer. “The day I met them, I just knew. I spoke with Shreyas, and he told me there’s a difference between believing and doing. Earlier I just believed. Now I know,” he said.

Punjab Kings Journey in the IPL 2025

For the Punjab Kings, the IPL 2025 season started on a professional note as they had captain Shreyas Iyer and coach Ricky Ponting, who crafted a top-notch team with players like Yuzvendra Chahal, Priyansh Arya, Josh Inglis, Arshdeep Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and more. This revamped squad ended an 11-year playoff drought, finishing atop the IPL 2025 group stage with 19 points from 14 matches, a net run rate of 0.372, and nine wins, securing Qualifier 1 and two shots at the final.

PBKS kicked off on March 25 against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad, posting a formidable 243/5, driven by their batting firepower. They defended it, winning by 11 runs as GT fell short at 232/5, setting a confident tone. On April 1 in Lucknow, PBKS chased 171/7 against Lucknow Super Giants, cruising to 177/2 with 22 balls to spare, highlighting their batting depth. However, April 5 brought a reality check in Mullanpur, where Rajasthan Royals’ 205/4 overwhelmed PBKS’s 155/9, resulting in a 50-run loss.

Rebounding strongly, PBKS defeated Chennai Super Kings on April 8 at home, posting 219/6 and restricting CSK to 201/5 for an 18-run victory, with Arshdeep Singh’s bowling proving crucial. A high-scoring thriller against Sunrisers Hyderabad on April 12 in Hyderabad saw PBKS’s 245/6 chased down by SRH’s 247/2 with nine balls left, exposing bowling vulnerabilities. On April 15, PBKS showcased their bowling prowess against Kolkata Knight Riders at Mullanpur, defending a modest 111 to bowl out KKR for 95, winning by 16 runs, with Chahal’s spin playing a pivotal role.

Their April 18 clash with Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Bengaluru was a low-scoring nail-biter. PBKS chased 95/9, reaching 98/5 with 11 balls remaining, thanks to disciplined bowling and clutch batting. However, RCB turned the tables in Mullanpur on April 20, chasing PBKS’s 157/6 with 159/3, winning by seven wickets with seven balls left. A rain-abandoned match against KKR on April 26 at Eden Gardens saw PBKS post 201/4, but only one over was possible, earning both teams a point.

#SherSquad, मंडळ आभारी! 🙇🏻‍♂️ pic.twitter.com/uovSQfsxSm

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 26, 2025

PBKS regained momentum on April 30 in Chennai, edging CSK by four wickets. Chasing 190, they reached 194/6 with two balls to spare, with Inglis and Stoinis steering the chase. On May 4 in Dharamsala, PBKS overwhelmed LSG, posting 236/5 and restricting them to 199/7 for a 37-run win, with Arya’s explosive batting shining. Their May 18 clash with RR in Jaipur saw PBKS defend 219/5, holding RR to 209/7 for a 10-run victory, showcasing their death-bowling strength.

A setback came on May 24 against Delhi Capitals in Jaipur, where DC chased PBKS’s 206/8 with 208/4, winning by six wickets with three balls left, highlighting fielding lapses. PBKS capped their league stage on May 26 with a clinical seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians in Jaipur. Chasing 185, they reached 187/3 in 18.3 overs, led by Arya’s 62 off 35 and Inglis’s 73 off 42, securing the top spot. Now, PBKS head to Mullanpur for Qualifier 1 on May 29 against RCB or GT, with a chance to reach the June 3 final in Ahmedabad or a second shot in Qualifier 2 on June 1. For fans, this season has been a dream fulfilled, with Iyer’s leadership and Ponting’s strategy as they look to lift the IPL Title now.

Punjab Kings Top Performers of the IPL 2025

Amongst the batters of the Punjab Kings, Shreyas Iyer, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh stood out as the top performers in IPL 2025, driving the team to a Qualifier 1 spot with their explosive contributions. Captain Shreyas Iyer led from the front, amassing 514 runs in 14 innings at an average of 51.40 and a blistering strike rate of 171.90. His unbeaten 97 was the highest of his five fifties, with 38 fours and 31 sixes showcasing his aggressive yet composed style.

Priyansh Arya, a rising star, scored 424 runs in 14 innings at a strike rate of 183.54, the highest among PBKS’s top batters. His maiden IPL century (103) and two fifties, packed with 48 fours and 24 sixes, highlighted his fearless approach, notably in the seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Prabhsimran Singh added 499 runs at a strike rate of 165.78, just shy of a fifty-per-season average at 35.64. His 91 was the peak of his four fifties, with 53 fours and 27 sixes, providing fiery starts.

𝐒𝐚𝐫𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐡 𝐒𝐚𝐚𝐛 𝐦𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐝𝐢𝐟𝐟𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐭! 😎 pic.twitter.com/RcmZS3Swlm

— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) May 26, 2025

When it comes to the bowlers of the team, Punjab Kings had a few standout performers in the 2025 IPL season who made crucial contributions throughout the campaign. Leading the attack was left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, who played 14 matches and bowled in 13 innings. He picked up 18 wickets from 48.2 overs at an impressive average of 23.00. His economy rate stood at 8.56, and his best bowling figures were 3 for 16. Arshdeep also bowled one maiden and managed three dot balls in a high-scoring season.

Experienced leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal played 12 matches and bowled in 11 innings, finishing with 14 wickets from 37 overs. His average was 25.28, and although his economy rate of 9.56 was on the higher side, he struck regularly. Chahal’s best spell came with figures of 4 for 28, and he produced two four-wicket hauls over the course of the season. The third major contributor was South African left-arm seamer Marco Jansen. Featuring in all 14 games, Jansen bowled 47.1 overs and took 16 wickets.