Shreyas Iyer's leadership influenced IPL auction calls: Coach Ponting praises captain
IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting said Shreyas Iyer justified Punjab Kings' big auction push with a match-winning unbeaten 71 in the record chase against Delhi Capitals. Calm under pressure, he turned a daunting chase into a statement win.
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting did not hold back in praising skipper Shreyas Iyer after his match-winning knock against the Delhi Capitals. Following a record-breaking chase, Ponting revealed that Iyer’s leadership was a key reason behind PBKS going all out for him at the IPL auction.
Speaking after the game, Ponting highlighted both Iyer’s personality and his ability to close out chases as defining traits.
DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | Scorecard
“He’s a great person, and that’s one of the reasons I went as hard as I did for him in the auction. I knew he was going to be a great leader for us as we look to rebuild this team and the franchise," Ponting said.
"One thing I know is that if he’s there at the end during a run chase, we won’t lose too many games. Even tonight, I went out around the 11th or 12th over, grabbed him and said, ‘If you’re there at the end, we’ll win this game.’ And he did it again. Full credit to him, and full credit to all the boys for believing in him," he added
Ponting’s words came after Iyer led Punjab to one of the most remarkable wins in IPL history after chasing down 265 against Delhi Capitals on April 25.
HOW IYER LED PBKS'S HISTORIC WIN VS RR?
Chasing a daunting 265, Punjab Kings showed no signs of panic, a mindset that Iyer ensured inside the dressing room. Despite watching KL Rahul smash an unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana add 91 to power Delhi to 264/2, Iyer kept the messaging simple and calm.
That clarity translated immediately on the field. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya launched a stunning assault at the top, racing to 126 without loss in just 6.5 overs and breaking the back of the chase.
With the platform set, Iyer stepped in to control the innings. He did not try to match the early frenzy but ensured Punjab stayed on track, pacing the chase smartly and keeping wickets in hand. His presence in the middle allowed PBKS to absorb pressure and finish strong, completing what became the highest successful run chase in T20 history.
The win also reinforced Punjab’s strong start to the season, as they remained unbeaten with five wins in six matches.
HOW GOOD WAS SHREYAS IYER IN DC vs PBKS?
Iyer’s knock was all about control under chaos.
He finished unbeaten on 71 off 36 balls, striking three fours and seven sixes, anchoring the chase while others played around him. It was not just about the runs, but when they came. Each boundary ensured Delhi never clawed their way back into the contest.
There were moments of fortune too. Iyer was dropped twice by substitute fielder Karun Nair off Kuldeep Yadav when he was on 28 and 35. But he made Delhi pay, adding 43 more runs after the first reprieve.
More importantly, he stayed till the end. And as Ponting pointed out, that is where Iyer becomes most dangerous.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting did not hold back in praising skipper Shreyas Iyer after his match-winning knock against the Delhi Capitals. Following a record-breaking chase, Ponting revealed that Iyer’s leadership was a key reason behind PBKS going all out for him at the IPL auction.
Speaking after the game, Ponting highlighted both Iyer’s personality and his ability to close out chases as defining traits.
DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: HIGHLIGHTS | Scorecard
“He’s a great person, and that’s one of the reasons I went as hard as I did for him in the auction. I knew he was going to be a great leader for us as we look to rebuild this team and the franchise," Ponting said.
"One thing I know is that if he’s there at the end during a run chase, we won’t lose too many games. Even tonight, I went out around the 11th or 12th over, grabbed him and said, ‘If you’re there at the end, we’ll win this game.’ And he did it again. Full credit to him, and full credit to all the boys for believing in him," he added
Ponting’s words came after Iyer led Punjab to one of the most remarkable wins in IPL history after chasing down 265 against Delhi Capitals on April 25.
HOW IYER LED PBKS'S HISTORIC WIN VS RR?
Chasing a daunting 265, Punjab Kings showed no signs of panic, a mindset that Iyer ensured inside the dressing room. Despite watching KL Rahul smash an unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana add 91 to power Delhi to 264/2, Iyer kept the messaging simple and calm.
That clarity translated immediately on the field. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya launched a stunning assault at the top, racing to 126 without loss in just 6.5 overs and breaking the back of the chase.
With the platform set, Iyer stepped in to control the innings. He did not try to match the early frenzy but ensured Punjab stayed on track, pacing the chase smartly and keeping wickets in hand. His presence in the middle allowed PBKS to absorb pressure and finish strong, completing what became the highest successful run chase in T20 history.
The win also reinforced Punjab’s strong start to the season, as they remained unbeaten with five wins in six matches.
HOW GOOD WAS SHREYAS IYER IN DC vs PBKS?
Iyer’s knock was all about control under chaos.
He finished unbeaten on 71 off 36 balls, striking three fours and seven sixes, anchoring the chase while others played around him. It was not just about the runs, but when they came. Each boundary ensured Delhi never clawed their way back into the contest.
There were moments of fortune too. Iyer was dropped twice by substitute fielder Karun Nair off Kuldeep Yadav when he was on 28 and 35. But he made Delhi pay, adding 43 more runs after the first reprieve.
More importantly, he stayed till the end. And as Ponting pointed out, that is where Iyer becomes most dangerous.
IPL 2026 | IPL Schedule | IPL Points Table | IPL Player Stats | Purple Cap | Orange Cap | IPL Videos | Cricket News | Live Score
