Feeling the Heat: Arshdeep’s First Over Shows the Pressure of the New Ball

The final began with a bit of nerves for Arshdeep Singh. His very first ball was too wide down the leg side, and Phil Salt tried to swing at it but missed. Still, RCB got their first run thanks to that wide. Arshdeep’s next couple of deliveries were much better. One was full and outside off, which Salt pushed to mid-off. The next was on the pads, and Salt worked it straight to cover. Two dot balls gave Arshdeep a small breather. But things were about to change quickly.

The third ball Salt faced was a gift. Short and on the leg side, and Salt had no problem helping it over the fine leg boundary for six. It was the first proper hit of the final, and a strong message from Salt. Arshdeep tried to adjust but bowled another short one again on leg stump. This time Salt pulled it to fine leg for four more runs. Long leg had just been removed, so it was the perfect placement.

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Arshdeep continued to struggle with his line. The next ball was on the pads again, and Salt flicked it through square leg. Nehal Wadhera chased it down well in the deep and saved two runs. Arshdeep ended the over with a short ball outside off, and Salt let it go.

In total, Arshdeep gave away 13 runs in his first over in the final of IPL 2025, including a wide. He clearly looked under pressure, and Salt took full advantage. It wasn’t the kind of start Punjab would have hoped for, but Salt looked in the zone right from the beginning.