‘They made a bold decision’: Pathan delivers big verdict against PBKS ahead of IPL 2026

former indian allrounder Irrfan Pathan Believe Kings XI Punjab are finally “moving in the right direction” after taking a smart and bold decision at the auction table, raising hopes of ending their long wait for the Indian Premier League (IPL) title.Speaking on IPL Today Live, Pathan highlighted how the team has shown a new clarity in terms of leadership and team-building. Kings XI Punjab finished as runners-up last season but narrowly lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore in the final.

Clear leadership drives transformation in Punjab

“Leadership has played a huge role in Punjab’s turnaround. You win half the IPL at the auction table. Big purses don’t necessarily mean you always get what you want, but they did and they made it to the final,” he said.Smart auctions key to Punjab’s rise Pathan noted that the team has not shied away from accepting tough demands, including releasing underperforming players, e.g. Glenn Maxwellwhile also strengthening their bench. “They made bold but important decisions… now you see all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Janssen and Marcus Stoinis, along with the young Indian batting core. They also gave it their all Shreyas Iyer After it was decided that he would be captain. The thinking is clear and I feel Punjab has started moving in the right direction,” he said.

Kings XI Punjab in IPL 2025

Kings XI Punjab made a breakthrough in IPL 2025 and became one of the most consistent teams this season. Led by Shreyas Iyer, they climbed to the top of the league and reached the final, their first title bid since 2014. The team showed stunning balance with Iyer leading the way with the bat and finishing with 604 runs while Ardeep Singh Led the bowling attack and finished with 21 wickets. Punjab’s journey includes victory over rivals in Qualifier 2 mumbai indians After losing in RCB Qualifier 1, they failed to reach the finals where they lost to Royal Challengers Bangalore. Despite the loss, the 2025 season marked a significant shift for the team, making them a true contender and establishing a solid foundation for future success.