Mullanpur, April 8: Punjab is always known for its high energy, lot of positive spirit, unique celebrations, hard work and lot of entertainments.
Perhaps that is the reason, why in sports also, we often find unique and rare talents from Punjab. In team games, they are great fighters individually and as a team as well. More importantly, they enjoy each others' success and continue to fight as a coherent bunch every now and then.
In cricket too, they always have their presence and dominance as individual players and teams. However, in 16 previous editions of the Indian Premier League (IPL), they have never lifted the trophy. That is bit unusual and strange.
Of course, that does not limit the potentials of the IPL franchise from Punjab. This season in 2024, they have a new home ground in Mullanpur. They have already won their first match in that stadium, by beating Rishabh Pant led Delhi Capitals. That was a day match.
On Tuesday, they face Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in an evening match. The colourful Mullanpur Stadium is likely to have lot of energy, entertainment, thrilling experience and loud cheer for the local team. That is something every home team loves to enjoy.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) players, their support staff, team management and owners are likely to enjoy that committed and strong crowd support. That definitely matter a lot to any team. The thousands unified voices in the stadium can propel any team to perform better, much above their potentials.
Well, after an inspiring win over the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, Punjab Kings are all set to return home for their next encounter of the ongoing season of the Indian Premier League.
They Punjab Kings and SRH match on Tuesday, will be the first night match at the stadium under gorgeous bright lights.
Skipper Shikhar Dhawan and Head of Cricket Development, Sanjay Bangar expressed excitement on the action returning to the dazzling home stadium.
The Kings' journey this season began with a tremendous win over the Delhi Capitals in front of the 30,000-strong crowd at the newly-developed stadium on March 23, 2024. The enthralling cricketing action was made even better with loud fans and mesmerising music at the ground, giving the fans a chance to witness the IPL spectacle up close and personal.
To further make the experience an unforgettable one for everyone, a laser show has also been organized at the stadium on Tuesday during the match that is guaranteed to leave the fans glued to their seats.
For the Punjab Kings' squad, the loud cheers from the fans are one of the key factors of motivation, and Dhawan asked the home crowd to fill up the stands once again and make their voices heard on Tuesday.
"We, as players, always want our fans to be the loudest. And Punjab fans already have it in their blood to be vocal and expressive at all times. So, we are delighted to return to our home crowd and cannot wait to meet with everyone who comes out to cheer for us at the stadium," Dhawan said.
Bangar further added that the side will work even harder to ensure that home crowd expectations are met.
"We are always aware that our fans want the best from us at all times. Whenever we are playing at home, our fans always have it in them to be the loudest and their constant support always inspires us to leave no stone unturned to get the desired results. So, I urge all the fans to fill up the stands to the brim once again on Tuesday, and help us add another win to our results and maintain our 100% home record," Bangar said.
Will the new stadium bring new luck to Punjab Kings, as they dream to win their maiden IPL title? That is something, we all have to wait and see.
But for the time being, Mullanpur crowd might be eager to cheer their local team Punjab Kings against the SRH under glittering lights and electrifying atmosphere in the new stadium on Tuesday evening. (With IANS support)
