Punjab Kings‘ Prabhsimran Singh received high praise from former Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden after his outstanding innings of 91 runs off 48 balls against LSG in Dharamsala on Sunday. The 24-year-old opener’s explosive performance, featuring seven sixes and six boundaries at a strike rate of 189.58, helped Punjab post a formidable total of 236/5 and secure a crucial victory in their playoffs race.
The young batter has shown remarkable consistency this season, justifying Punjab Kings’ decision to retain him as an uncapped player ahead of the auction.
Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Hayden, who played three seasons with Chennai Super Kings, drew parallels between Prabhsimran and MS Dhoni’s six-hitting abilities.
“He has got great power. Back in 2010, there was a young MS Dhoni who was launching balls in the last over of the day. Prabhsimran has got similar sort of attributes. He has wonderful bat speed, a solid base. He is not that tall, so he can really manoeuvre the ball into the gaps and he is fearless,” Hayden said during the mid-innings break.
“You can see by the way he took on the deliveries against LSG. He was in complete control. He has forced the bowlers to make mistakes,” Hayden added.
Punjab’s impressive total was built through several key partnerships. Josh Inglis contributed a quick 30 off 14 balls with one four and four sixes.
Prabhsimran formed a crucial 78-run partnership for the third wicket with captain Shreyas Iyer, who scored 45 off 25 balls with five fours and two sixes.
A 54-run fifth-wicket stand between Prabhsimran and Shashank Singh, who remained unbeaten on 33 off 15 balls with four boundaries and a six, helped Punjab reach their final total.
Poll
Do you think Prabhsimran Singh can become a future star like MS Dhoni?
LSG’s chase fell short as they managed only 199/7 in their allotted overs.
After receiving the Player of the Match award, Prabhsimran reflected on his performance.
“It is a very good knock and 2 points matters to us a lot and happy that it came in a winning cause. I was set when I was dropped, I wanted to capitalise on the drop. Failed to read the wicket initially, it took a little time and then decided we need to make 200. Whatever the situation demands, someone from our batting unit has been stepping up every game and good that we are winning too,” he said at the post-match presentation.
