Hanuma Vihari backs ‘formidable’ Punjab Kings, believes SRH can breach 300

Punjab Kings assemble a strong team for IPL 2025, with expert Vihari predicting potential upsets and high-scoring games.

Punjab Kings broke the bank at the Indian Premier League 2025 auctions, roping in star players, seasoned campaigners and all-rounders who can make an impact.

Former Sunrisers Hyderabad and Delhi Capitals player Hanuma Vihari believes that the Kings head into the season as the most balanced team.

“Punjab Kings looks very solid. They’ve got a good captain in Shreyas Iyer, the winning captain last year for Kolkata Knight Riders. They’ve got Ricky Ponting, a very straightforward coach. They’ve got Josh Inglis, an excellent white ball player, and Glenn Maxwell, who on his day can change the game around,” JioHotstar expert Vihari said.

“They look like a very formidable side. On their day, I think they can upset any team.”

SRH openers Abhishek Sharma and Travis Head plundered 691 runs last season at an average of 49.35. The pair scored at a run rate of 13.46 - the highest for any T20 partnership with at least 350 runs since 2024.

“Strike rate-wise you can’t think ahead of Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, what they have done last year. Just in terms of what start they can give,” Vihari remarked.

However, the 31-year-old also backed Gujarat Titans pair Shubman Gill and Jos Buttler to come good. “That’s one opening pair I’m really looking forward to, they’re both quality whiteball players. We all know what Shubman Gill has done recently in white ball cricket and especially in IPL as well. In Ahmedabad, they will be a treat to the eyes.