“Learning tournament for me”: Nehal Wadhera on disappointing IPL 2026…

New Chandigarh (Punjab) [India], August 14 (ANI): Punjab Kings (PBKS) batter Nehal Wadhera has described his underwhelming IPL 2026 campaign as a valuable learning experience, saying every cricketer goes through difficult phases and that he is determined to return stronger from the setback. tbzikra.com

The left-handed batter, who enjoyed an impressive IPL 2025 campaign with 369 runs, struggled to replicate his form in the 2026 edition, managing only 65 runs.

Speaking to ANI, the 25-year-old said he did not believe a lack of preparation was responsible for his disappointing campaign.

“I think every player goes through tough patches. So I think this was a season for me. Across the three seasons I played before this one, I think I did pretty well. So I think it was just a learning tournament for me," Wadhera said.

Wadhera insisted that he had left no stone unturned in his preparations and was aware of the challenges he could encounter during the season. However, he acknowledged that despite the best preparation, performances do not always go according to plan.

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“Preparation-wise, I won’t say that, and I wouldn’t blame myself, because the way I was preparing before, I prepared even harder. I knew what kind of challenges I would be facing this year, but sometimes it just doesn’t click. So this year was one of them," he said.

Despite the setback, the PBKS batter expressed confidence in his ability to bounce back and make the most of future opportunities.

“But I’m happy that I’m someone who knows how to bounce back stronger, who knows how to learn from these mistakes, and how to capitalise the most when I get the opportunity next. So I’m well prepared for that," he added.

Wadhera admitted that he was disappointed with his performance during the season but stressed that setbacks can become important learning experiences if players are willing to identify their mistakes and improve.

“So, I think as I said, it’s a learning curve. I mean, yes, I was definitely disappointed, but if you don’t learn something out of your failures, there’s no point," he said.

Wadhera also revealed that he sought advice from PBKS captain Shreyas Iyer toward the end of the season, describing the conversation as a source of motivation.

“I happily learn; I happily talk to seniors. I spoke to skipper Shreyas Iyer as well during our last day. He gave me a very nice response. He told me every player goes through ups and downs, but it’s how you come back out of it," Wadhera said.

The young batter pointed to Iyer’s consistency in the IPL and his leadership at the international level as an example to follow.

“And you see that in his performance, how he has been consistently doing well in IPL and now leading the Indian team in T20Is as well. So I was really happy to talk to him, and I spoke my heart out to him," he added.

Looking ahead, Wadhera said representing the senior Indian team remains one of his biggest ambitions.

Having previously represented India at the Under-19 level, the 25-year-old batter said his current focus is on continuous improvement, both on and off the field.

“I’m trying to tick off every box. I’m just trying to be a better version of myself, not just on the field, but also off the field. I’m trying to utilise my time to the best, be it on the field or off the field," he said.

“So I think if I just continue to do so, that day won’t be far when I would also be representing the country," Wadhera concluded.

Wadhera made his IPL debut with Mumbai Indians (MI) in 2023 and enjoyed a promising maiden campaign, registering two half-centuries. However, opportunities were limited in the following season, with the left-handed batter missing out on selection for Mumbai’s playing XI during a few games in IPL 2024.

Wadhera’s association with PBKS came after Mumbai released him ahead of the 2025 mega auction. He entered the bidding process with a base price of Rs 30 lakh, with Chennai Super Kings, Lucknow Super Giants and Delhi Capitals among the franchises that showed interest in securing his services. PBKS eventually acquired the left-handed batter for Rs 4.20 crore.

The move proved beneficial for both Wadhera and the franchise, as he produced his most productive IPL season in 2025. He amassed 369 runs in 16 matches at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of more than 145, playing a key role in PBKS’ journey to the final as part of the team’s strong Indian core.

Meanwhile, PBKS commenced a five-day off-season training camp in New Chandigarh on August 11, with the programme set to run until August 15. The current batch includes six players including, Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, Harpreet Brar, Pyla Avinash, Praveen Dubey, and Nehal.

The pre-season camp is being conducted under the supervision of the franchise’s coaching group, with Trevor Gonsalves leading the programme at the venue. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

New Delhi [India], August 14 (ANI): Purani Dilli 6 pulled off a thrilling four-wicket win over North Delhi Strikers in the Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2026, chasing down a challenging target in a dramatic last-over finish.

Batting first, North Delhi Strikers posted 186/6 in 20 overs, with captain Sarthak Ranjan and Yash Bhatia leading the way with the bat, according to a release.

The Strikers got off to a steady start as Ranjan and Vaibhav Kandpal added 45 runs for the opening wicket. Kandpal was dismissed for 14 off 11 balls, bringing Yash Bhatia to the crease.

Ranjan and Bhatia then took control of the innings, putting together a 61-run partnership for the second wicket. Ranjan continued his excellent form and scored a well-made 59 off 37 balls, while Bhatia also struck 59 off 41 deliveries.

Yash Dabas provided the late push with a valuable 36 off 22 balls, helping North Delhi Strikers finish on a strong 186/6 and set Purani Dilli 6 a tough target.

In reply, Purani Dilli 6 endured a difficult start and were reduced to 53/4, leaving the chase in serious trouble.

However, Ashwini Chillar and Lalit Yadav produced a brilliant fightback. The pair added 105 runs for the fifth wicket, completely changing the momentum of the game and bringing Purani Dilli 6 back into contention.

Yadav played a crucial knock of 64 off 41 balls before he was dismissed, but Chillar continued to keep the chase alive.

Chillar was later joined by Rohan Rathi, and the duo brought the equation down to seven runs needed from the final over. However, Chillar was dismissed for a fighting 45 off 36 balls, leaving the match on a knife edge.

With the pressure at its highest, Pankaj Jaswal produced a stunning finish. He smashed a six off the very first ball he faced and followed it up with another maximum to seal the match for Purani Dilli 6.

The dramatic finish completed a remarkable comeback for Purani Dilli 6, who recovered from 53/4 to chase down 187 and snatch victory from the jaws of defeat. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Former Team India cricketer Aakash Chopra has backed Jasprit Bumrah's workload management by calling him a "genius" player.

Speaking on The Great Indian Cricket Show on Doordarshan, he said, "If you have a genius like Jasprit Bumrah, and if his body needs some rest, if his load needs to be managed, why would you not do it? Bumrah is a genius. And there are many opinions of many people that if you are fit, then you should play. If you are not, then don't play".

Chopra then acknowledged that India would be able to cope up in Bumrah's absence. He stressed that the team should make every effort to preserve the fast bowler's long-term fitness.

"India will still manage. It will manage. Life goes on, whether there is someone or not. But if you have a genius like Bumrah, if his body needs some rest, if his load needs to be managed, why would you not do it? It's a very simple thing," he said.

Team India is set to take on Sri Lanka in the two-match Test series. The first match is scheduled to be played from August 15 at the Galle International Cricket Stadium near Galle Fort.

Ahead of the series, the visitors will miss out on services of Bumrah. He was advised by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) medical team to take additional rest for a left-knee problem.

Bumrah has been out of action since the second ODI against England in Cardiff on July 16. He missed the concluding ODI at Lord's, with the BCCI citing a field-impact injury sustained during the Cardiff fixture.

Following the tour of England, Bumrah reportedly received a knee injection as part of a long-term rehabilitation strategy formulated by medical staff.

Following his absence, the BCCI has named Auqib Nabi as his replacement.

IND vs SL 1st Test: Full squads

India: Shubman Gill (Captain), KL Rahul (Vice-Captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rishabh Pant (WK), Dhruv Jurel (WK), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Manav Suthar, Mohammed Siraj, Prasidh Krishna, Gurnoor Brar, Devdutt Padikkal, Saransh Jain, Auqib Nabi, Sarfaraz Khan.

Sri Lanka: Dinesh Chandimal (WK), Dhananjaya de Silva (C), Niroshan Dickwella (WK), Vishwa Fernando, Prabath Jayasuriya, Ramesh Mendis, Lahiru Udara, Asitha Fernando, Lahiru Kumara, Kamindu Mendis, Milan Rathnayake, Nishan Madushka, Pasindu Sooriyabandara, Sonal Dinusha, Dilshan Madushanka, Keshara Nuwantha.

(With ANI Inputs)

[popcorn number="Fifth" desc="India’s current position in the ICC World Test Championship points table" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="Four" desc="No. of Tests India have won (lost 4 too) out of nine this WTC cycle, with one draw" class="Default"]

India’s Test tours of Sri Lanka have tended to come in fits and starts over the last quarter of a century. A long gap after the 2001 series was followed by outings in 2008 and 2010; then came two tours in three years, between 2015 and 2017, both of which India won handsomely.

Now, nine years after their last dance in the Emerald Isle, India are hopeful that this latest two-Test series, starting on Saturday at the beautiful Galle International Stadium, will herald their resurgence in the five-day game. It will mark the 50th Test at this ground, making it the first centre in Asia to achieve that milestone.

Just four wins in nine World Test Championship outings have left India’s hopes of reaching a third final in four cycles hanging by a slender thread. Any slip-ups, and their campaign would have effectively ended even before they round off their league engagements with a five-match home showdown early next year against Australia. India need seven victories from their nine remaining fixtures to not have to rely on other results going their way, and Sri Lanka will be the ideal place to breathe new life into a clearly floundering campaign.

As they target a hat-trick of series successes in Sri Lanka, India know they will need so many things to go their way, not least the toss on Saturday on what is predicted to start out as a good batting surface before bringing spin into play. Already short on Test experience in Sri Lanka, India were dealt the unkindest cut 10 days back when Jasprit Bumrah was ruled out with an impact injury to his left knee.

Bumrah hasn’t played a Test here previously — he only debuted in January 2018 — but his genius is a bank Shubman Gill would have been desperately hoping for. Instead, he will now helm a side from which only his deputy KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav have prior taste of Test cricket in this part of the world. For all the touted similarities in conditions between the two nations, playing here is vastly different from relying on home comfort. India have been hard at work since arriving in this country 10 days ago, but if they are even slightly off the boil, they will be mercilessly punished by the hosts, who too have lost the seasoned Kusal Mendis and punishing opener Pathum Nissanka to injuries.

[popcorn number="37.5" desc="India’s winning percentage in Tests in Sri Lanka; they have won nine out of 24 games, lost seven and drawn eight" class="Default"]

[popcorn number="2008" desc="The year SL last won a Test series against India at home; the island nation have drawn one and lost two series since then" class="Default"]

Sri Lanka’s head coach Gary Kirsten is well versed with the finer nuances of Indian cricket, having spent three years with the team and having guided MS Dhoni’s side to the 2011 ODI World Cup title, yet the South African is reluctant to discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the Shubman Gill-led visitors who will take on the Lankans in a two-Test series, starting in Galle on Saturday.

“I’m not here to judge the Indian team. We’re just trying to focus on our strengths, what we can do well in the Test match, make sure we prepare well and understand what we want to do. Let the game unfold; the conditions will determine the way we set up our strategies and also the situation in the game. We back our skills to be able to take advantage of that momentum,” Kirsten told mid-day during a virtual interaction with select media, organised by Sony Sports Network on Thursday.

Sri Lanka players celebrate a wicket during the second Test against WI in Antigua last month. Pic/AFP

Gill’s India and the Dhananjaya de Silva-led Sri Lanka, who are ranked fifth and sixth respectively in the 2025-27 World Test Championship (WTC) cycle, will play the second Test in Colombo from August 23.

Kirsten, who took charge of the Sri Lankan team last April, made his plans clear: “There is a lot that needs to be done, but in the end, I’d like to help this [Sri Lanka] team become a top-four nation, and compete with the best cricket teams in the world.”

Indian players warm up during a training session in Galle on Thursday. Pic/PTI

Kirsten admitted that India will be a tough team to tackle. “They [India] are a very successful team with a lot of depth. We’re aware of that in our preparations and how we want to play against this team. India is a quality team and we need to make sure that we’re up to the task in the execution of our skills and also in our strategy of how we’re going to play against them,” added Kirsten, 58, a veteran of 101 Tests and 185 ODIs.

The coach stressed on the significance of playing it session by session. “Games can be won and lost in one session. And in a two-match series, the series can be lost in one session. So, you’ve got to concentrate all the way through. You can’t lapse too much, because it could be series-defining. We’re aware that we need to be doing well at home. And we need to have success in terms of that long-term play of the WTC. And as we build that up, it allows us to know that we can play different ways and win games,” Kirsten explained.