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Priyansh Arya To Open For Punjab Kings? Ponting Drops HUGE HINT Ahead Of IPL 2025
Follow UsLast year, Priyansh shot into the limelight through an outrageous Delhi Premier League (DPL) season
Ahead of IPL 2025, it is obvious that one of Punjab Kings’ openers will be wicketkeeper batter Prabhsimran Singh, whom the franchise retained ahead of the mega auction. However, there’s still suspense over Prabhsimran’s opening partner.
Some believe Josh Inglis might start at the top of the order, while others have claimed that there’s a chance Marcus Stoinis might be utilised as an opener, a role he executed for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League (BBL).
But ahead of the new season, head coach Ricky Ponting dropped a huge hint, claiming that there’s a good chance Delhi left-hander Priyansh Arya might bat at the top of the order.
“Priyansh Arya, I think, is a very special potential opening batsman for us going forward in the tournament,” Ponting said during the meta-creators event organized at New PCA stadium in New Chandigarh.
“Depending on which way we go with our overseas make-up, he's very exciting.”
Talking about other youngsters who have impressed him ahead of the season, Ponting said, “Suryansh Shedge is also someone who has been very impressive in our training so far. When I talk about energy and fun, another player that I am impressed with is Musheer Khan. He's brought a lot to the group already. He has got an infectious attitude, and around the training ground and around the team so far, he's been someone that I've really enjoyed working with.”
Priyansh opening the batting will enable PBKS to strengthen their bowling by playing one of Lockie Ferguson or Xavier Bartlett alongside Marco Jansen, who is a certainty in the starting XI.
Alternatively, the franchise could also opt to strengthen the middle-order by slotting-in either Inglis or Azmatullah Omarzai, which will make the middle-order look something like: Iyer / Inglis or Omarzai / Stoinis / Maxwell / Shashank Singh, with Nehal Wadhera or Suryash Shedge walking in as the impact player.
Last year, Priyansh shot into the limelight through an outrageous Delhi Premier League (DPL) season, where he smashed 608 runs at an average of 67.56 and SR of 198.7. He was bought by PBKS for INR 3.80 cr at the mega auction.
