Aakash Chopra hails Nehal Wadhera’s knock in IPL 2025 win vs RR, compares left-hander with Suresh Raina

Former Indian Test opener Aakash Chopra heaped praise on Nehal Wadhera after Punjab Kings registered a 10-run win against Rajasthan Royals at the Sawai Man Singh Stadium, Jaipur. PBKS posted 219 runs on the board after Shreyas Iyer decided to bat first.

Meanwhile, Wadhera scored 70 runs off just 37 balls, including five fours and as many sixes to help PBKS post a par score on the board. The visitors were in a spot of bother at 34-3, but Wadhera was able to steady the ship. 

Wadhera added 67 runs with his skipper, Shreyas Iyer whereas the southpaw added 59 runs with Shashank Singh. Chopra also compared Wadhera with former Indian batter Suresh Raina.

“Nehal Wadhera played extremely well. He is technically very compact. When he plays against spin, he reminds me a little of Suresh Raina. When he plays inside-out shots and the way he uses his feet, it seems it is like him (Raina),” Aakash Chopra said on his YouTube Channel.

Chopra lauded Wadhera for his ability to control the game.

“He keeps the game in control. It never seems like he is behind the game. He is slightly ahead of the game. Whether it is while chasing or batting first, he controls those innings. He likes Rajasthan. He scored a fifty the last time he played against them, and he played an excellent 70-run knock here,” he observed.

Wadhera has scored 280 runs in 11 matches at an average of 35 and a strike rate of 157.30 in IPL 2025.

On the other hand, the renowned commentator also showered praise on Shashank Singh, who scored 59 runs off just 30 balls. Singh has amassed 273 runs in 10 innings at an average of 68.25 and a strike rate of 151.66 in IPL 2025. 

“Shashank Singh was retained. They said they needed him as a finisher, and he comes across as a street-smart cricketer. He has matured in the furnace of local cricket. He knows how to drive the game and which bowler to hit where. He knows his strengths very well,” he said.

“He doesn’t take too many risks and knows which bowler he needs to score more runs against. He was also the stand-in captain this time because Shreyas had an injured finger. He used the bowlers well. He brought Arshdeep (Singh) in the 19th over and gave him the 17th over as well. He just moved the pieces at the right time,” Chopra observed.

PBKS will next take on Delhi Capitals at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium, Jaipur on Saturday.