Former Indian batter Manoj Tiwary questioned Punjab Kings’ think tank after they didn’t back in-form Indian batters like Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh against reigning champions Kolkata Knight Riders at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

PBKS openers – Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya – gave a solid start to their team adding 120 runs in 11.5 overs. While Singh went on to score 83 runs off 49 balls, Arya smashed 69 runs off just 35 balls to help PBKS post 201 runs on the board.

However, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen and Josh Inglis batted at four, five, and six respectively for PBKS. Maxwell and Jansen could not deliver as they scored seven and three runs respectively.

“My gut feeling says that punjab team will not be able to win the #IPL trophy this season because what I saw today when they were batting was, the coach didn’t send Indian inform batters Nehal Wadhera and Shasank Singh, instead he trusted his foreign players to deliver, but they couldn’t and clearly showed lack of confidence in Indian players down the order. If he persists in this way then the title is far from them irrespective of their qualification in top two,” Tiwary wrote on X on Saturday, April 26.

Meanwhile, Nehal Wadhera has scored 189 runs in eight matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 37.80 whereas Shashank Singh has amassed 158 runs in nine matches at an average of 52.67. Thus, both the uncapped Indian batters have delivered consistently for the Mohali-based franchise.

PBKS has managed five wins and three losses with one no result in the ongoing season. 

Shreyas Iyer’s team will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday.