NEW DELHI: IPL 2025 will witness Pyla Avinash making his debut for Punjab Kings. The 24-year-old was picked in the IPL season 18 auction. The franchise is known for identifying young talent, and Avinash is eager to make an impact.
Ashish Tuli, GM of Punjab Kings, shared insights on Avinash’s selection. “His power-hitting ability caught our attention. We had been tracking him for a while. His domestic T20 performances reinforced our decision,” Tuli said.
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Punjab Kings have a strong scouting team. “Our scouts monitor players across state leagues and BCCI tournaments. Identifying the right talent at the right time is a crucial skill,” he added.
Learning Under a Legend
Avinash has long admired Ricky Ponting and will now train under him. “He is a legend. I used to watch his pull shots on YouTube. Learning from him will be a dream come true,” Avinash said.
The young batter hails from Visakhapatnam and picked up cricket at 13. His brother played U-19 and U-23 for Andhra Pradesh. “He inspired me. Watching him train pushed me to work harder,” Avinash said.
Avinash rose to fame in a local T20 match where he smashed 11 sixes in a 226-run chase. “We were struggling. I hit five sixes in one over. That inning changed my life,” he recalled.
His 105-run knock in 58 balls got him noticed, leading to his selection in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. On debut, he scored a quick fifty against Mumbai. “That match was emotional. It made me believe I had a future in cricket,” Avinash said.
Now, he is fully prepared for IPL 2025. Punjab Kings will kick off their season against Gujarat Titans on March 25 at Narendra Modi Stadium. Avinash is excited about the challenge ahead. “Playing in the IPL is a dream. I want to give my best and contribute to the team’s success,” he said.
Punjab Kings fans are eager to see their new star in action, hoping he will make an immediate impact on the grand stage.
