IPL 2025 CSK vs PBKS | Shreyas understands the game better than ever before: coach Ponting

No looking back: Skipper Shreyas, with 360 runs this season, has been walking the talk.
| Photo Credit: M. VEDHAN

Shreyas Iyer is confidence personified. He is leading Punjab Kings well and that is reflected in his batting too.

The stylish right-hander, who scored a half-century in PBKS’ four-wicket win over Chennai Super Kings in an IPL match here on Wednesday, earned praise from coach Ricky Ponting.

The former Australia captain hailed Shreyas’ evolution as a leader, saying that his understanding of game situations is better than ever before.

The duo has been reunited this season at Punjab Kings after having worked together at Delhi Capitals, where they had led DC to the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, including a final appearance in 2020.

“He’s a lot more confident in himself now than he was, and that comes with experience,” Ponting said.

“He’s a more mature player now. I think he understands the game and game situations probably better than ever before,” the PBKS coach said of Shreyas, who has made 360 runs in 10 games.

Shreyas led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title last season but was released before the mega auction. PBKS secured him for Rs. 26.75 crore.

“I mean, he won the IPL last year as a captain. So, when you’ve done that and you’ve got that experience behind you and you believe and trust in your own instincts, I think that’s the biggest thing with captaincy, especially in a T20 game when everything around you is happening so fast,” Ponting said.