Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings decided to invest in both of them as they are desperate to end their IPL title drought. Ponting worked closely with Shreyas Iyer at Delhi Capitals between 2018-2021.
In IPL 2019, DC reached the playoffs under the Ponting-Iyer combo and in 2020 they reached the finals but lost out to Mumbai Indians. The Punjab Kings management are hoping for the two to create the same kind of magic and help them win their maiden IPL title.
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I Was Desparate To Work With Shreyas Again - Ricky Ponting
As soon as PBKS completed the auction, they named Shreyas Iyer as the captain and Ricky Ponting as the head coach of the side. PBKS broke the bank and secured Iyer for 26.75 crores. Ponting has now stated that he was “desperate” to work with Iyer again because of the relationship they had in the Capitals dressing room.
"If you look back at the auction, I think it was pretty clear to everyone who I wanted as my captain. 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" Ponting said.
Iyer also clarified in the pre-season press conference that he is likely to bat at number three for his new franchise. He has dominated the spinners batting in the middle overs for India and he is looking to do something similar with Punjab Kings.
"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. 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" Iyer said at the press conference.
Iyer concluded the press conference by saying that he is happy to be back working with Ricky Ponting as a captain-coach capacity.
"I've worked with him for almost three years in a franchise. And I know how he thinks about every individual on and off the field. He supports everyone. You see in some places there is a senior-junior culture. "But when I worked with him for the first time, he made me feel like I'm a great player. And I can easily excel in this format. So, the confidence he gives is of a different level," the former KKR skipper concluded saying.
Also Read: IPL 2025: DC announce Axar Patel as their new skipper; Faf du Plessis as vice-captain
