The 35-year-old Australian national cricket team and Punjab Kings (PBK) batting all-rounder Marcus Stonis made a shocking revelation after destroying the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the 66th match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025.
Marcus Stoinis revealed that he tested positive for Covid-19 during his IPL 2025 break in Australia. The PBK and DC match is currently underway at Sawaman Singh Stadium in Jaipur.
Also read: “Was Yuzvendra Chahal injured?”: Twitter was shocked as PBKS drops leg spinner for DC Clash
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Unfortunately, I had Covid-19 that I don’t talk much anymore – Marcus Stoinis
Marcus Stonis turned on his beast mode against the Delhi Capitals bowler and was absolutely wiped out in the match. He came to the bat in the No. 7 spot and played Quickfire innings to lead his team to a total of 206/8.
Stoinis hit 44 runs from 16 balls, including three fours and four sixes. He especially took the best DC Pacers Mukesh Kumar and Mohit Sharma to the cleaners, making the experienced sailors appear absolutely ignorant.
During the mid-inning break, Marcus Stonis spoke to the broadcaster and revealed that there were no net sessions during the IPL break as he had Covid-19. He said:
“I didn’t actually have the net before this game. Unfortunately, we had Covid-19, which we don’t talk much anymore. It was a welcome home. I rested at home and came back there.”
Marcus Stoinis took a cheeky dig of DC bowlers because he wasn’t bowling many slowers and advised PBKS bowlers to follow that strategy in two innings. He said:
“When you last go out halfway and go into one mode, it’s always difficult. It was really good for me. I was setting up pretty quickly so I was surprised they didn’t bowl the ball too slow. That’s probably what we can do. It’s a really good surface.”
Suitable for bowls if needed – Marcus Stoinis
Stoinis, also known as the Hulk, spoke more about the pitch when the game was offered, saying he held a bit. He also declared that he would fit perfectly in the bowl.
“I held the ticket gate a little, but it’s a little too early. The wind comes from the longest part of the boundary. I think it’s worth using that wind. If you need to change your tactics, adapt as soon as possible. It’s a good bowl if you need to.”
Meanwhile, the scores PBKS registered against DC were the highest innings total in India’s Premier League history.
Best inning totals by IPL PBK and DC:
206/8, Jaipur, 2025,
202/6, Delhi, 2011
198/8, Dharamsala, 2023
The Punjab Kings also rivaled GT and Warwickshire records in a total of more than 200 in the T20 competition season, with all seven of the scores above 200 coming first during batting. This is a world record.
A total of more than 200 for most IPL editions
7* -2025 PBK
7* -GT of 2025
6- MI in 2023
6 – 2024 KKR
6 -HRH and 2024
6 – 2024 RCB
A total of most 200 or more in the T20 competition
7 – PBK for IPL 2025
7 – GT of IPL 2025
7- Warwickshire for T20 Blast 2022
Punjab Kings overseas players criticized
In an exchange with ESPNcricinfo ahead of the match, IPL winner coach Tom Moody denounced the Punjab Kings overseas player. He said that the foreign players on the PBKS team have not yet fired fire, except for Marco Jansen. He explained in detail:
“To be fair, cruelly and honestly, the overseas players in Punjab have not actually appeared. They are not actually playing. And there are two arguments about it: the first is that we couldn’t control the domestic players we spoke of.
“Maybe you can put Marco Jansen aside. I know he’s a very solid contribution to the whole thing. They’re overseas players. There’s been a bit of a lax opportunity for different players to come in. But they certainly didn’t have an impact.”
