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Wankhede familiarity key for Wadhera's form return
16 Apr
Summary
- Nehal Wadhera seeks Wankhede's familiarity for form
- Wadhera confident despite recent low scores
- PBKS hold equal head-to-head record against MI
Punjab Kings' middle-order batter Nehal Wadhera is hopeful that a return to the familiar Wankhede Stadium will reignite his batting form for the IPL 2026 match against Mumbai Indians on Thursday. Wadhera, who has played for MI in the previous two seasons, feels confident due to his knowledge of the venue and its bowlers.
Despite a lean patch with scores of 3, 10, and 14 in the current season, Wadhera remains optimistic, stating he is in good touch and expects one significant innings to turn his season around. He also highlighted Punjab Kings' positive historical record against Mumbai Indians, having an equal head-to-head count in their 34 encounters.
Wadhera emphasized that this team record instills a positive mindset, similar to individual player confidence. He noted that their past success against MI's plans provides an advantage. He also praised head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer for fostering a free-playing environment and encouraging natural gameplay.
The 25-year-old acknowledged that Punjab Kings are carrying momentum from the previous season, despite their final loss. He described the team's routine and atmosphere as consistent with their successful 2025 campaign, indicating a dominant approach across all opponents.
