Confident youngsters have been key for PBKS in IPL 2025: Brad Haddin-OxBig News Network

Punjab Kings assistant coach Brad Haddin emphasised that it is the confident crop of youngsters in their squad who have been crucial to the side’s impressive run in the ongoing IPL 2025 season. In what has been a breakout year for multiple young players across the league, Haddin highlighted how the perfect balance between seasoned professionals and young blood at PBKS has been a key factor as they push to seal a playoff berth this season.

IPL 2025 has witnessed the rise of prodigious talents—most notably 14-year-old Vaibhav Suryavanshi, whose record century against Gujarat Titans left the cricket fraternity in awe. Similarly, young players like Ayush Mhatre for Chennai Super Kings, Vipraj Nigam for Delhi Capitals, and PBKS’s very own Priyansh Arya have emerged as standout performers. Speaking at the pre-match press conference ahead of their clash against Kolkata Knight Riders on May 4, Haddin underlined the importance of youngsters peaking at the business end of the tournament in shaping the team’s campaign.

“You just want to get better with each day and each game—and that’s what this team is doing. What’s really encouraging is that a lot of our younger players are growing in confidence as the tournament progresses,” Haddin said.

“Of course, the senior players want to be playing at this stage, and they will win you games, but the most pleasing thing is seeing our youngsters responding well,” he added.

As PBKS look to build on their commanding win over CSK and strengthen their charge towards the playoffs, the contributions of Priyansh Arya and Prabhsimran Singh will be pivotal to their batting line-up in the matches ahead.

PBKS take on Lucknow Super Giants on May 4 in Dharamsala, with both sides eyeing a crucial win in a tightly-contested playoff race. PBKS currently sit 4th on the table with 13 points, while LSG trail in 6th place with 10 points—making Sunday’s clash a decisive fixture for both sides.