Ricky Ponting openly blamed for Marcus Stoinis' struggles for Punjab Kings
Published - 21 Apr 2025, 12:56 PM | Updated - 21 Apr 2025, 02:31 PM
Ambati Rayudu shared his thoughts on Marcus Stoinis’ shocking dismissal, which came when Punjab Kings (PBKS) badly needed him to finish their innings strongly in their IPL 2025 clash against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in New Chandigarh on Sunday, April 20.
Coming to bat at number seven, Marcus Stoinis could face only two deliveries and managed only one run. Facing a slow googly from Suyash Sharma, the Australian all-rounder was completely beaten by the flight of the ball, which turned in, missed the inside edge, and crashed into the stumps.
At that point, PBKS were struggling at 114/6 in 13.5 overs. It wasn’t just Stoinis who fell victim to Suyash’s clever bowling, as in the same over, the RCB spinner also dismissed Josh Inglis (29). This double blow could not help PBKS as they posted only 157/6 on the board against the RCB.
Is PBKS' atmosphere behind Marcus Stoinis’ struggles in IPL 2025?
Marcus Stoinis has been under pressure since the start of the ongoing IPL 2025 and has been unable to live up to his high price tag. Notably, the Punjab Kings snapped up the Australian star for INR 11 crore at the OPL 2025 mega auction after an intense bidding war with CSK and RCB.
Things got worse when the right-handed batter was dropped by the Punjab Kings at the last minute for their recent match against the Kolkata Knight Riders. Viral photos on social media showed a disappointed Stoinis being informed of the decision by head coach Ricky Ponting.
Well, reacting to the 35-year-old’s struggles in the ongoing IPL 2025, Ambati Rayudu felt that PBKS’ poor atmosphere could be affecting the top players’ performances, including Marcus Stoinis, as Yuzvendra Chahal has also been struggling to deliver this season.
Read Also: Punjab Kings vs Royal Challengers Bengaluru Dream11 Prediction- IPL 2025, Match 37
Ambati Rayudu questions PBKS team management after Marcus Stoinis’ shock dismissal against RCB
The cricket expert also pointed out that sending Marcus Stoinis to bat so low in the order added unnecessary pressure, as he questioned the team management’s decisions. Rayudu also feels the Australian star is not happy with the team’s decision regarding his batting position.
Ambati Rayudu said on Star Sports, “I think they are just not getting the balance right in terms of their intent, and also, no doubt, Krunal and Suyash bowled really well. But you would expect someone like Stoinis to pick a googly after all these years in international cricket.
But that is something you don’t see often with top cricketers missing googlies. Maybe he is really not in the zone. Maybe he is upset with something that is going on in the team, or with himself, or with his batting position.”
PBKS vs RCB IPL 2025 Match Highlight
Speaking about the PBKS vs RCB match, the Bengaluru franchise put on a solid all-round show to comfortably outclass the Punjab team by seven wickets at Mullanpur. With this win, RCB not only avenged their earlier loss at home against the PCB but also moved up to third place in the IPL 2025 points table.
After opting to bowl first, RCB bowlers kept things tight and didn’t allow PBKS to take control. The turning point came in the middle overs when spinners Krunal Pandya (2/25) and Suyash Sharma (2/26) slowed down the scoring and picked up key wickets to help RCB restrict PBKS to 157/6.
Chasing the target, Virat Kohli smashed his 59th IPL half-century and stayed unbeaten on 73 off 54 balls to take RCB home with seven balls left against the PBKS at Mullanpur.
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