Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan He believes Punjab Kings are finally “moving in the right direction” after making smart and bold decisions at the auction table, raising hopes of ending their long wait for an Indian Premier League (IPL) title.Speaking on IPL Today Live, Pathan highlighted how the franchise has shown renewed clarity in both leadership and squad building. Punjab Kings finished as runners-up last season, losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.
Clear leadership is driving Punjab’s transformation.
“Leadership has played a huge role in Punjab’s turnaround. You win half the IPL at the auction table. Big purses don’t always mean you get what you want, but they did, and they got to the final.”Smart auction is key to Punjab’s rise. Pathan pointed out that the franchise has not shied away from taking tough calls, including releasing underperforming players such as Glenn Maxwellwhile also strengthening their bench. “They took bold but important calls… and now you see all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Johnson and Marcus Stoinis, accompanied by a young Indian batting corps. Shreyas Iyer After deciding that he would be the captain. There is clarity of thought, and I think Punjab has started moving in the right direction,” he said.
Punjab Kings in IPL 2025
Punjab Kings enjoyed an impressive campaign in IPL 2025, emerging as one of the most consistent teams of the season. Led by Shreyas Iyer, they topped the league stage and reached the final, their first title appearance since 2014. Arsdeep Singh Led the bowling attack with 21 wickets. Punjab’s trip included a memorable win against Qualifier 2. Mumbai Indians After failing in Qualifier 1 to RCB to make it to the final, they eventually fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final. Despite the loss, the 2025 season signaled a significant turnaround for the franchise, establishing them as true contenders and laying a solid foundation for future success.
