Is Shreyas Iyer the Key to Punjab Kings' Success in IPL 2025?

Chennai, May 1 (NationPress) Punjab Kings' head coach Ricky Ponting lauded captain Shreyas Iyer for his stellar performance that led to a victory over Chennai Super Kings in the IPL 2025 on Wednesday.

Punjab Kings achieved a significant triumph against Chennai Super Kings during the current edition of the Indian Premier League at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai, with skipper Shreyas Iyer spearheading the chase of 191 runs. After opting to bowl first, CSK capitalized on Sam Curran's impressive 47-ball 88 to set a challenging target of 190 runs on a sluggish, turning pitch.

Even though Yuzvendra Chahal claimed 4 wickets for 32 runs in just 3 overs, alongside Arshdeep Singh and Marco Jansen who each took 2 wickets, CSK managed to establish a formidable target for Punjab. However, Iyer played a captain's innings, scoring an impressive 72 runs off 41 balls, which was pivotal in steering his team to victory. With the support of opener Prabhsimran Singh, who contributed 54 runs, PBKS successfully chased down the target with two balls to spare, winning by 4 wickets.

In the post-match presentation, Ricky Ponting elaborated on Iyer's evolution as a captain over the years.

"Shreyas began this tournament in a form that I've never witnessed in him before. His innings today is a testament to why I was so eager to have him as our captain. I am fully aware of his capabilities as a player and a leader. His hunger for success is undeniable, and he showcased that to everyone tonight. It was always going to be a challenging run chase, but we executed it well," stated the former Australian international.

Further commending Iyer, Ponting highlighted how his leadership inspires the team.

"When you look into his eyes, you can see an intense desire for success. He embodies the role of a leader and is committed to bringing triumph to both this team and the franchise. His current form suggests that nothing will deter him from that goal, which is a fantastic mindset for a leader, as it positively influences everyone around him," he remarked.

Ponting also acknowledged Chahal for his impressive bowling performance, saying, "Yuzi is a wicket-taker. The players must trust in their abilities to dismiss any batsman at any moment. His impactful performance at the end of today's game will undoubtedly boost his confidence as well."

Punjab Kings will next head to Dharamsala, their alternate home ground this season, where they will play their upcoming three matches. Ponting believes his team will have a better grasp of the conditions in Dharamsala, which they will leverage to their advantage.

"It's our home ground. We should be more adept at adapting to the conditions than anyone else. We have a lengthy travel day tomorrow, followed by two training sessions before our next match. This will provide us with the opportunity to assess the conditions thoroughly. Additionally, we had a 4-5 day camp in Dharamsala prior to this season, so our players will be well-prepared for what to expect. We aim for three wins in Dharamsala," Ponting concluded.

Punjab Kings will next face the Lucknow Super Giants at HPCA Stadium, Dharamsala, on Saturday.