Punjab Kings' head coach Ricky Ponting was beaming with pride as he addressed the broadcasters after his team secured a top-two finish in the IPL 2025 league stage-their first in 11 years.

The former Australian captain credited the team's success to a collective effort from a "hugely talented" group of players but was quick to highlight the emergence of a special young star: Priyansh Arya.

In a high-pressure clash against five-time champions Mumbai Indians, the 23-year-old Priyansh rose to the occasion with a brilliant knock of 62 off 35 balls, laced with nine boundaries and two sixes. On a tricky pitch at the Sawai Mansingh Stadium in Jaipur, Arya anchored , forging a 109-run stand with Josh Inglis.

Arya showed remarkable maturity, happily playing second fiddle when Inglis went after the Mumbai bowlers. The left-hander rotated the strike with ease and manipulated the field like a seasoned pro. PBKS vs MI: Highlights | Scorecard

"I said maybe four or five games in that Priyansh is one of the finds of the tournament. Hard to argue with that now. Fearless young talent, seeing and hitting the ball," Ponting said after the victory on Monday, May 26.

Priyansh had made a strong first impression in the opening game of the season, smashing 47 off just 23 balls in Punjab's win over Gujarat Titans. Known for hitting six sixes in an over during a Delhi Premier League match, Arya entered IPL 2025 with a reputation for explosive batting. While he had a couple of quiet outings early on, he roared back to form with a sensational 103 off 42 balls against Chennai Super Kings, rescuing Punjab from 83 for 5 to a match-winning 219.

That century came shortly after he had been rattled by Jofra Archer's pace-a moment that revealed the youngster's grit. Arya bounced back with renewed confidence, showing his ability to absorb pressure and deliver when it mattered most.

PRIYANSH TICKS ALL BOXES IN NETS: IYER

Throughout the tournament, Priyansh has evolved into a multi-dimensional batter. Against Mumbai, he showed restraint and game awareness before launching into Jasprit Bumrah in the death overs-dispatching the veteran pacer into the stands and crushing any hopes of a comeback for the opposition.

Captain Shreyas Iyer was full of praise for the young southpaw, who is among the leading run-scorers in IPL 2025 with 484 runs in 14 matches at a stunning strike rate of 183.

"The way Priyansh started was fabulous. Young players like him are fearless. They tick all the boxes in the nets, and now the results are showing on the field," Iyer said.

Punjab Kings fielded as many as six uncapped players in their final league game and still chased down 185 with ease-getting the job done in just 18.3 overs.

With a top-two finish confirmed, Punjab now have two chances to make the final. They'll play Qualifier 1 at their home ground in Mullanpur, New Chandigarh, on Thursday, May 29.