Nehal Wadhera confidently names Punjab Kings as IPL 2026 winners
Published - 16 Mar 2026, 07:29 PM | Updated - 16 Mar 2026, 07:30 PM
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Young Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Nehal Wadhera has made a bold prediction ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 (IPL 2026), starting on March 28. When Punjab Kings (PBKS) had lost the IPL 2025 final to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB), Nehal Wadhera had taken full responsibility for the painful defeat.
The Royal Challengers Bengaluru and Punjab Kings were chasing their maiden IPL title at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. RCB finally lifted their first-ever IPL trophy. The historic match took place where RCB defeated Punjab Kings by just six runs in a nail-biting finish.
RCB put up a fighting total of 190 runs in their 20 overs, and PBKS tried hard, but they fell just six runs short of the target, and the Bengaluru team finally won the trophy after 18 years.
Nehal Wadhera still regrets his IPL 2025 Final knock
One moment from the IPL 2025 final still troubles Nehal Wadhera. The young batter managed only 15 runs from 18 balls during the chase. Even now, the Punjab batter admitted that he could have played his shots earlier and handled the pressure better.
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Recalling his statement after that heartbreaking loss, Wadher said on the Find A Way podcast, "I thought that I might have delayed my shot a little. I should have played a little earlier.”
He also shared how the PBKS head coach, Ricky Ponting, was confident about that squad lifting the IPL trophy in the future. Wadhera revealed, "He said that this squad sitting in front of me, I genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, and I'm being very honest right now, I can see an IPL trophy in this squad.”
How Shreyas Iyer keeps PBKS motivated
Nehal Wdhera also revealed how the Punjab Kings captain, Shreyas Iyer, played a key role in keeping the players motivated throughout the 2025 season. He also revealed how Iyer encouraged everyone and reminded them that one defeat does not decide the entire tournament.
Wadhera said, "When we used to lose a game or go to the dressing room, Shreyas Iyer made sure that he stepped up and said, ‘What's wrong, brother? You're only losing one match. You're not losing the IPL. 'What's wrong with you?’ And Ricky Ponting said that I think India's best captain is currently Shreyas Iyer. So, I think he must have seen something in him.”
Nehal Wadhera predicts IPL 2026 triumph for Punjab Kings
Even during the last season, many PBKS players hailed Iyer’s leadership as one of the biggest strengths of the team. Well, after watching RCB break their long title drought in 2025, Nehal Wadhera is confident that the Punjab Kings will rewrite their own history in the IPL 2026 season.
Big heart to own the loss like that. As a #PBKS fan, I’m not mad at him at all. First time playing for his state, smashed a crucial knock in eliminator vs MI
— Harinder singh brar (@harry7081) March 16, 2026
Just misread the final. Dont blame him
He even said PBKS will win the trophy in 19 years and 19 is Nehal’s lucky number❤️ pic.twitter.com/f9WxuKP83q
He signed off by saying, “It would be. After 18 years, RCB won. After 19 years, we will win. "19 is my lucky number.” The PBKS will kickstart their campaign against the Gujarat Titans on March 31 in New Chandigarh.
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