Punjab kings has selected their new captain, Shreyas Iyer, who expressed his desire to bat at No. 3 during the IPL 2025. During Champions Trophy in Dubai, he played at No. 4 where he showed his best performance at this position and back in IPL 2024, where he was leading Kolkata Knight Riders, he also played at the same position. Also during the last IPL, he was moved down to No. 5 or 6 according to the situation in KKR.
“We already know that IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And If I would want to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be No. 3,” Iyer said at a press conference. “And that’s what I’m focusing at. I wouldn’t say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting.”
“This time I’m quite clear about that position. And I’m going to be focusing on that number. As long as the coach approves of me.”
Iyer also won the IPL title while leading the Kolkata Knight Riders in last year’s IPL final match.
Iyer and coach Ponting are getting together again in the same team, after they had some success at Delhi Capitals, including the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, also the final in 2020. He also said that he is excited to work again with the Ponting. Iyer become the second-most expensive player at an IPL auction, as Punjab Kings offered him INR 26.75 crore (USD 3.18 million approximately).
“If you look back at the auction, I think it was pretty clear to everyone who I wanted as my captain,” Ponting said. “And we got what we wanted. I was desperate to work with Shreyas again. We had a great working relationship at Delhi over a long period of time. He’s one of the best players that I’ve worked with. He’s a great human being. He’s an IPL-winning captain. You couldn’t ask for much more.”
“We’ve got the best leader that we could possibly hope for. And we’ve had a lot of great times and success together. I think we understand each other really well. As you know, the captain-coach relationship in any team is vital.”
During IPL 2024, Punjab Kings played total seven home games across Mullanpur and Dharamsala, and they only won a single game, while ended up at second from bottom. Ponting is hopeful to make his best efforts to win at home during this season.
“What I understand is that if you are not winning at home, you are not winning the IPL,” Ponting said. “It’s one of the main reasons that I’m sitting here now. I wanted a really strong coaching challenge. And we’ve got that. But there’s no pressure on us. What have we got to lose?”
“We’re going to go out and play a really dynamic and entertaining brand of cricket. And I know we’ve got the players that can do that.” He further added.
Punjab Kings will begin their IPL 2025 Journey on 25th March facing Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium.
