'Showing Greater Maturity This Season': PBKS Coach's Big Praise For Prabhsimran Singh

Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh is showing "greater maturity" this IPL season and repaying the faith shown in him by the team management, believes their spin bowling coach Sunil Joshi. Starting off cautiously, the seasoned Punjab batter exploded in the latter half of his innings to top-score with a 49-ball 83, guiding them to 201 for four against Kolkata Knight Riders in Kolkata on Saturday. Prabhsimran, who was on 34 off 32 balls at one stage, accelerated brilliantly to score 49 runs in his next 17 deliveries.

"I think it's all about confidence. In the pre-season, how much volume he adds to his batting is very important. Of course, positive environment with (head coach) Ricky (Ponting) and the batting coaching staff has really done well," Joshi said after rain washed out their match with KKR stranded at 7/0 after one over.

Prabhsimran, who has been part of the side since his IPL debut in 2019, was among the players retained by PBKS ahead of the mega auction.

"He has been consistently performing in white-ball format as well. Last year also, he has shown consistency and the numbers show that. But this year, he has been more matured. He was part of an emerging team as well. So, that confidence also added to him," Joshi said.

While Prabhsimran rediscovered his touch, youngster Priyansh Arya continued to impress, hammering a 35-ball 69 as the duo stitched a commanding 120-run stand for the opening wicket.

Arya, who made headlines with a century against Chennai Super Kings, has been one of PBKS' biggest finds this season, playing the early aggressor in the entertaining partnership.

"They are exciting players. Prabhsimran is a seasoned campaigner. He is more experienced. He has come up with successfully good plans for