Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting spoke highly of captain Shreyas Iyer following his brilliant display in the IPL 2025 match against Chennai Super Kings (CSK) on Wednesday. Iyer was awarded the Player of the Match after scoring an exceptional 72 runs from 41 balls, consisting of five fours and four sixes that enabled PBKS to successfully chase the target of 191 runs with four balls to spare.
With just three runs needed from the last eight deliveries for victory after Matheesha Pathirana had bowled him out, Iyer had already set up his team. Ponting stressed that Iyer probably wasn’t very happy about not finishing the chase himself.
I actually think he has upwardly leveled his game. He is a more matured player now,” Ponting said. “He understands the game better and that showed tonight. He’ll probably be disappointed not being able to finish it off himself because he really values being the guy who seals the win.”
Ponting praised Iyer’s captaincy and how he connected well with the players, both during matches and practices. “We’ve built a great atmosphere where everyone seems to be happy,” he also added.
Last season, he played a masterstroke bringing Kolkata Knight Riders to lift the IPL trophy, but they decided to let him go before the mega auction. Punjab Kings then made a massive signing of Iyer for Rs 26.75 crore, which has actually made a great decision. Iyer gets better and better with the experience gained resulting into more confidence in his game and better decision-making on the field, as said by Ponting.
“He’s far more self-assured now especially after winning the IPL title as captain last year. That experience helps you trust your instincts, which is paramount in T20 where everything moves so fast,” he added. “He can also keep himself calm amid all the chaos, even if the conditions were a little chaotic tonight.”
“The Kings proved too strong for Chennai today and are now second in the standings with 13 points from six wins in ten matches. Next up for them are the Lucknow Super Giants on Sunday, May 4, in Dharamsala.”