Ricky Ponting makes big 'Shashank Singh' revelation after Punjab Kings' IPL 2025 final heartbreak

Punjab Kings' (PBKS) campaign in the recently concluded IPL 2025 ended in a heartbreaking manner.

Playing their first final after 11 long years, the Punjab-based outfit suffered a 6-run loss at the hands of Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the title-decider at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Tuesday (June 3).

PBKS lose the final yet again

Batting first, RCB posted a challenging total of 190/9 in the allotted 20 overs. Virat Kohli top-scored for his side, scoring 43 runs off 35 balls, while Arshdeep Singh and Kyle Jamieson picked up 3 wickets each for PBKS.

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The Shreyas Iyer-led side had chased down 204 runs at the same venue against Mumbai Indians a couple of days ago and were the favourites to chase down 191 as well. However, they eventually fell short by 7 runs and finished on 184/7.

The likes of Priyansh Arya, Prabhsimran Singh, and Josh Inglis got the start but could not convert them into big scores. Shashank Singh waged a lone battle and remained unbeaten on 61 runs but could not take his team home.

There are no excuses - Ricky Ponting on the loss in the final

Speaking after the loss in the final, PBKS captain Ricky Ponting did not give any excuses for the defeat and pointed out that his team lost the momentum at a critical time.

He also said that the pitch was not difficult to bat on, but the PBKS batters just could not capitalise after a good start.

"There are no excuses — not from me, not from the team. In fact, Shashank said after the match that it was the best wicket he’d batted on all season. So, it wasn't the pitch. We just lost momentum at a critical time — probably during the last couple of overs of the powerplay. That stretch from overs 6 to 10 really hurt us. We lost key wickets and momentum," said Ricky Ponting in the post-match press conference.

Also Read: Virat Kohli demeans RCB's IPL triumph with Test cricket message weeks after retirement

Krunal Pandya bowled exceptionally well - Ricky Ponting

The former Australia captain also praised Krunal Pandya, who delivered a match-winning spell. The left-arm spinner conceded just 17 runs in his 4 overs and picked up the wickets of Prabhsimran and Inglis. He was also adjudged the Player of the Match for his brilliant display.

"Krunal Pandya bowled exceptionally well, which meant the game started slipping away around the 11th to 13th over. The hole became too big, and despite some quality bowling at the end, we came up just a little short. Even getting that close is something to be proud of. Other teams might have been bowled out or lost by 30-35 runs.

"I’m not even sure if we lost by 6 or 7 runs. Winning the IPL is not easy. Teams like Chennai and Mumbai have won multiple times, but it’s a tough tournament to win. I hope in 12 months the Punjab Kings can be the ones celebrating an IPL title," said Ricky Ponting.

Also Read: RCB blocked from holding victory parade in Bengaluru, here's the full revised plan