New Delhi [India], April 2 (ANI): Former Indian spinner Piyush Chawla praised Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer's leadership in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. Speaking on Jio Hotstar, he highlighted Iyer's strategic thinking and the team's well-balanced squad.

Chawla also credited Punjab Kings' success to the players acquired in the auction, particularly the strength of their middle order and the impact of Nehal Wadhera.

'His thought process is always different because he knows how to find ways to win. A captain's success also depends on the setup around him, as a leader can only be as good as the players supporting him. Punjab Kings covered all their bases in the auction, assembling a well-balanced squad. Their middle order is strong--Nehal Wadhera, coming in as an impact player, played a crucial knock,' Chawla said on Jio Hotstar.

He also pointed out that the team's depth gives them more flexibility and backup options, helping them perform better this season.

'When you have depth on the bench, it gives you flexibility and strong backup options. That's why Punjab Kings are looking like a completely different team this year,' he added.

Punjab Kings finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season, winning only five out of 14 matches. However, they have started their 2025 campaign strongly, winning both of their opening matches. Captain Shreyas Iyer has led from the front, scoring back-to-back fifties.

In their recent match, opener and wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, along with Iyer's fifty, helped Punjab Kings defeat Lucknow Super Giants by eight wickets at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium in Lucknow on Tuesday.

This victory enabled the PBKS team to climb to the second spot in the points table of the current 18th season of the lucrative league, while the Rishabh Pant-led LSG fell to sixth place after the defeat. (ANI)