Home and away format will be good in the IPL now – Ness Wadia

Punjab Kings enjoyed a terrific run in IPL 2025, progressing to the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and only falling short at the final hurdle. Franchise co-owner Ness Wadia reflects on what powered that campaign, how the team plans to sustain those standards, the growing chemistry between captain Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting and his vision for the growth of the competition.

You have been with the IPL since the very beginning… How has the IPL evolved in your eyes?

It has evolved tremendously. We have grown from strength to strength, and we will grow from strength to strength. I think the BCCI is doing what they can to really promote cricket and the IPL by having it (the auction) in Saudi last year, in Dubai the year before, and in Abu Dhabi now. I think that's the right modus operandi.

What would you want changed?

I think the one thing that would be good is to have more matches, which was promised to us earlier – maybe two matches each [versus each opponent]. There are 10 teams now, right? So, home and away… given that the window can permit that. Because the IPL has been a real feeder for Indian cricket and Indian cricket's growth.

And eventually, I think if the IPL becomes a bigger window, they get a chance to play more, and the world gets a chance to see more. And I just think there's so much talent out here – it hurts when we lose to New Zealand and South Africa and others, especially at home, with such talent not being played, frankly. Shreyas is a good example. I mean, can someone give me one reason why Shreyas Iyer should not be part of the T20 team?

Last year was a dream season for you, except the final. What is the management doing to sustain that level, or maybe improve it?

You see, once you taste success, you want to keep tasting success, right? So, I think, from our perspective, retaining 21 players was the big thing. To now nurture them in the off-season – in terms of mental well-being, physical conditioning, nutrition and fitness – is very important because the cricketers are our assets.

Does the final still rankle?

No, I was not upset at all about losing the final. I was happy that we made it to the top two. Happy we got to the final. A lot of people were upset, but we're going to come back stronger, we're going to come back better, and we're going to come back wiser. We had the youngest team in the IPL last year.

What do you attribute PBKS' success last season to?

Success is about getting the right coaching staff, getting the right team, and then having the right environment, and making sure that the right environment is provided, and allowing the captain and the coach to do what they want and select any player. We have no interaction with Shreyas or any player. If they want to select a player, it's up to them. If they don't, it's up to them.

Priyansh Arya was a revelation last year…

Just a beautiful boy, so humble. I mean, it's just so simple. He's going to go places – fearless – and all of them, you know. And it's again the Indian boys.

Shreyas Iyer coming here was also a surprise…

Shreyas coming to the auction has been great. I think it's great for the IPL, great for Indian cricket. Happy.

What was your auction strategy for 2026?

It was up to Shreyas and Ricky. We are just here to make sure that we get that player at the best possible price for them. They are the best people – the best coaches in the world, the best captain, and the best players in the world – so if you're not going to empower them and give them the freedom to do what they want, then what's the point?

Please elaborate on the 'freedom to do what they want.'

My management team would say to me, 'Oh, sir, this player is not coming for dinner after the match; he's gone to his room.' So, what? I would like to go to my own room and recover and relax. You want to come, come. You don't want to come, don't come. You're just part of the family. You might want to go and chill, and you're tired – that's fine. Is there an issue? There's never an issue because you all want a happy family, and it's seamless. It should not be an issue. Never an issue. And that's what we brought.