Punjab Kings and Indian pacer Arshdeep Singh has said the goal for the team in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 is to go all the way, win their first title and celebrate with the fans in Chandhigarh in an open bus parade.
PBKS is one of four current active teams that have not lifted the IPL title so far. The Punjab-based franchise, however, has shown great ambition towards landing their maiden trophy, starting with the hiring of Ricky Ponting as coach and assembling a strong squad at the auction.
Shreyas Iyer was roped in for Rs 26.75 Crore and made captain. And under his captaincy, PBKS opened the season with a thriling 11-run win over Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad in their only match this season.
Arshdeep, who was one of the players bought back at the auction for Rs 18 crore using the Right to Match card, is excited for the new season ahead of their meeting with Lucknow Super Giants at the Ekana Stadium in Lucknow.
Speaking exclusively on JioHotstar’s special show ‘Gen Bold’, Arshdeep commented on how life looks for him since the last TATA IPL: “Life hasn’t changed much; it’s still the same, but it’s fun. As they say, change is the only constant. Staying stable and managing the highs and lows is crucial when playing at this level.
“I focus on strengthening my mental resilience and enjoying the present moment. I’m very excited about this season. The energy is fantastic, and the atmosphere in the dressing room is incredible. This time, we will give Punjab fans a reason to celebrate.”
In their season opener, PBKS posted a massive total of 243, riding on skipper Shreyas’ unbeaten 97 off 42 balls and Shashank Singh’s late cameo of 44 from 16 balls after debutant Priyansh Arya smashed 47 off 23 balls to kick start the innings.
In their defence, Arshdeep and Vyshak Vijaykumar’s excellent death bowling display restricted GT to 232. The left-arm pacer promised a very exciting brand of cricket going forward as he wants to top of the season with the title.
“I don’t want to jinx it, but I’m really excited. Fans will be thrilled when they see the brand of cricket we’re going to play this year. We appreciate all the fans who have supported us for 17 years, and we will do our best to give them a season to remember. Our goal is to play just 16 matches, win the title, and celebrate with them in Chandigarh with an open-bus parade,” Arshdeep added.
On being a backbone of the Punjab Kings team, Arshdeep said: “I enjoy stepping up when the team is under pressure-whether it’s stopping runs or taking wickets. When they hand me the ball in crucial moments, it feels good to know that they trust me.
“I genuinely enjoy the added responsibility, regardless of the situation. I try not to feel the pressure and instead focus on delivering my best for the team. Success doesn’t come overnight, but I ensure that any setbacks don’t affect my bowling. Every time I get another opportunity, I give my all to help the team win.”
On how he has evolved over the years, Arshdeep said: “The key is to improve by 1% to 1.5% after every game, every day-whether the performance was good or bad. I’ve always believed that the biggest room in the world is the room for improvement. So whenever I get the chance, I engage in constructive self-criticism and strive to enhance my skill set, even if it’s just by 1% or half a percent.”
On his bond with Shreyas Iyer and his approach, Arshdeep said: “I have played with Shreyas Iyer before, under his captaincy in the Duleep Trophy, and I really enjoyed it. He always backed his players and gave them the freedom to express themselves.
“What I’ve noticed here is that his approach remains the same-he doesn’t impose rigid instructions but encourages players to trust their skills and play for the team. He promotes a selfless approach, assuring full backing to the players. I truly admire this mindset, and as players, we will do our best to support him and help the team win back-to-back titles.”
On his favorite IPL memory, Arshdeep said:”My favourite IPL memory would be my debut-it was a special moment. But if I had to pick the best match, it would be the game against Mumbai Indians at Wankhede. They were chasing a target of around 220, and I finished with four wickets, bowled the last over, and we won the game. That match is very close to my heart.”