Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden has revealed his conversation with Ricky Ponting regarding Punjab Kings opener Prabhsimran Singh. Hayden said Ponting told him that Prabhsimran has a bright future ahead of him and was excited about the youngster at the start of the season after PBKS retained him before the IPL 2025 mega auction.

Singh scored an impressive knock of 83 runs off just 49 balls against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders with the help of six fours and as many sixes at the Eden Gardens, on Saturday. He added 120 runs with his opening partner Priyansh Arya, who continued his rich form to score 69 runs off just 35 balls. Thus, the duo helped PBKS post a par score of 201 runs on the board but rain played killjoy at the end.

Meanwhile, Prabhsimran Singh has scored 292 runs in nine matches of IPL 2025 at an average of 32.44 and a strike rate of 168.79.

“I met Ricky in Ahmedabad right at the start of this season and he seemed very excited. He said ‘Haydos, I have found a gem!’ Ricky doesn’t get excited so easily so this proves how impressed he was with Prabhsimran,” Hayden stated on Star Sports.

On the other hand, Priyanshi Arya has also impressed with the bat for PBKS. The left-hander has scored 323 runs in nine games at an average of 35.89 and a strike rate of 200.62.

Meanwhile, PBKS has managed five wins and three losses with one no result in the ongoing season.

Shreyas Iyer’s team will next take on Chennai Super Kings at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai on Wednesday.