The Punjab Kings entered the IPL 2025 season with renewed hope, appointing Shreyas Iyer as their captain and reuniting him with coach Ricky Ponting. After a strong showing in the league stage, finishing at the top of the points table, they faltered in Qualifier 1 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. They bounced back to defeat Mumbai Indians in Qualifier 2, setting up a final clash with RCB. However, their dreams were shattered in a narrow six-run defeat in the final at Ahmedabad.

Following the loss, Punjab Kings' young batter, Nehal Wadhera, took responsibility for the defeat. "I totally blame myself," Wadhera said in an interview. "If I had played better at that time, we could have definitely won." He admitted that he struggled to accelerate when needed, ultimately falling short of expectations. Wadhera managed a slow 15 runs off 18 balls during his time at the crease. Despite his personal disappointment in the final, Wadhera had a decent season overall, amassing 369 runs at an average of 30.75 and a strike rate of 145.84.

While Wadhera shouldered the blame, he also praised the leadership of Shreyas Iyer. "The way he behaves off the field, his attitude is reflected in the game," Wadhera stated. He further added, "I think a good captain, his attitude, the way he speaks, the way he handles people, if he is good, he is automatically a good leader and I think he is a perfect example for that." Iyer, who had previously led Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020 and guided Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024, brought a wealth of experience and tactical acumen to the Punjab Kings. He led from the front, scoring 604 runs in 17 matches at an impressive average of 50.33 and a strike rate of 175.07. His brilliant innings of 87 in Qualifier 2 against Mumbai Indians was instrumental in securing Punjab's place in the final.

Despite the defeat, the Punjab Kings' journey to the final was commendable. Team co-owner Preity Zinta expressed her emotions in a post, acknowledging the team's spectacular journey and the fight displayed by the young players. She praised Iyer's leadership and the dominance of the Indian uncapped players throughout the IPL season. The team overcame challenges, including player injuries, to reach their second-ever final.

While some players like Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis may face scrutiny, the core of the team, including Wadhera, Priyansh Arya, and Prabhsimran Singh, is expected to be retained. Shreyas Iyer's captaincy was praised for fostering a fearless approach, which was instrumental in their success. Although the title eluded them this year, the Punjab Kings, under Iyer's leadership, have laid a strong foundation for future success.