lucky time IPL 2025: Young Punjab Kings Batter Priyansh Arya Excited To Play Under 'Great Leader' Shreyas Iyer

Priyansh Arya bats in the nets during a Punjab Kings training session. Photo: Punjab Kings Priyansh Arya bats in the nets during a Punjab Kings training session. Photo: Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings’ fresh addition and aggressive young batter Priyansh Arya is all set for the 2025 edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). Arya, who has been playing cricket since the age of 9, was picked by the Kings in the mega auction and will be playing his first-ever IPL season. (More Cricket News)

“I am really excited to meet head coach Ricky Ponting. I love his pull shot. Apart from that, I am also excited to meet Shreyas (Iyer). I love his attitude and the way he walks. I have never met Shreyas earlier. I think he is a great leader, he has won IPL and all domestic trophies as a captain. So I feel he is the best leader," the 24-year-old said.

Arya took the nation by storm when he hit six sixes in an over in Delhi’s domestic T20 league in August 2024, becoming the fourth Indian cricketer to do so. Recalling the moment, he revealed that a special message came for him, after he achieved the feat, from India’s T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav.

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“After three sixes, I believed that I could hit six sixes as well,ph143 as my partner Ayush Badoni was hitting four to five sixes in an over in every match. After I did so, Suryakumar Yadav messaged me and said that my batting was total entertainment and asked me to keep believing in myself. It was quite motivating for me.”

Ahead of IPL season 17, Arya was up for the auctions but was not grabbed by any franchise. But he did not let the setback deter him and he continued to work hard on his game.

Recalling his emotions before last season's IPL, the 24-year-old opening batter said, "I felt bad about not being selected. This year, again, I had a lot of expectations from the auctions but I was not thinking about it and was focused on Syed Mushtaq Ali T20 matches. After I was picked by Punjab Kings, I was elated but could not celebrate much as I continued to focus on the tournaments. I will surely celebrate soon," Arya said.

"It is a great honour to be nominated for the FIH Player of the Year Award again," the Indian defender stated in a Hockey India release.

Coached by World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting and led by the Indian middle-order mainstay Iyerlucky time, Punjab Kings will enter IPL 2025 with their eyes on the prize.