Who is Priyansh Arya? All you need to know about Punjab Kings opener

Punjab Kings (PBKS) started their IPL 2025 campaign with a thrilling 11-run victory over Gujarat Titans (GT) in Ahmedabad. While PBKS skipper Shreyas Iyer stole the limelight with a stunning unbeaten 97 off 42 balls, other players like Shashank Singh and Vijaykumar Vyshak also made crucial contributions.

However, one name that grabbed attention was young opener Priyansh Arya, who made an impressive IPL debut. The 24-year-old batter played a crucial knock of 47 runs off just 23 balls, smashing seven fours and two sixes at a staggering strike rate of 204.34. 

His aggressive approach at the top of the order justified why PBKS went all out for him in the auction, spending ₹3.8 crore to secure his services ahead of teams like Delhi Capitals (DC) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB).

Arya first made headlines when he smashed six sixes in an over during a Delhi Premier League (DPL) match. Coming from a middle-class family of schoolteachers, Arya's cricketing journey began at Sanjay Bhardwaj's academy at the age of "9 or 10," where his dream of becoming a professional cricketer started taking shape.

Priyansh Arya was unsold in the IPL 2024 auction

In the 2024/25 Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy (SMAT), Arya was Delhi's highest run-scorer, amassing 325 runs in nine innings at an average of 40.62 and a phenomenal strike rate of 176.63. His performances included a century and a half-century.

After being unsold in the IPL 2024 auction, Arya’s redemption arc began when PBKS bought him in the 2025 auction, and in his very first game, he proved his worth with a fearless knock. Arya’s inclusion in PBKS has also allowed him to work under the legendary Ricky Ponting. 

Speaking to ESPNcricinfo, Arya expressed his admiration for the Australian great: "Being part of an IPL team and hearing someone like Ricky sir talk to me is an amazing feeling. Every time he speaks, I am standing there and looking at him, trying to hang on to every word. It feels amazing."

His next challenge will be against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in Lucknow, where he will look to build on his promising start and cement his place at the top of the order.

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