Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh gave credit to head coach Ricky Ponting after scoring a match-winning knock against Lucknow Super Giants at the Bharat Ratna Shri Atal Bihari Vajpayee Ekana Cricket Stadium, Lucknow on Tuesday. 

Chasing a below-par score of 172 runs for the win, Singh scored a brilliant knock of 69 runs off just 34 balls. The right-hander smashed nine fours and three sixes as he scored at a strike rate of almost 203. 

The Punjab batter completed his fifty off just 23 balls as he batted at the top of his game. Singh hailed head coach Ricky Ponting for backing the players to the hilt after PBKS registered their second win in as many games.

Prabhsimran Singh said in the post-match presentation after bagging the Player of the Match award, “As everyone knows, Ponting is such a legend. He’s always very positive. He doesn’t think about what-ifs. He’s asked us to back our game. Have practiced those shots a lot in the nets (the sweeps and switch hits). This is one platform which can help you achieve your goal of playing for India.”

On the other hand, impact substitute Nehal Wadhera scored an impressive knock of 43 runs off just 25 balls. Wadhera also lauded his teammate’s knock after the comprehensive win.

Wadhera said after the game, “We needed this win as well, Shreyas bhai and all played really well, our bowlers bowled well and the way Prabhsimran batted was really good too.”

Like Singh, Wadhera also showered praise on former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

He added, “He is one of the best coaches I have worked under, I have never heard a negative word from Ricky Ponting till now. He only talks positive things, when a coach gives such remarks, it boosts your confidence.”

Punjab Kings will next take on Rajasthan Royals at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium, Mullanpur, Chandigarh on Saturday.