Having carried out the position of a “silent hero” at number 4 within the title-winning Champions Trophy marketing campaign, Shreyas Iyer wants to make a big effect at number three place in this Indian Premier League season.
Iyer is just not a part of India’s T20 arrange however a productive debut season for Punjab Kings may revive his worldwide profession within the shortest format.
Also Read : Champions Trophy 2025 | Shreyas Iyer grabs his ‘blessing’ with each fingers
He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the title final season the place he batted within the middle-order.
With Punjab Kings, an underperforming franchise since IPL’s inception in 2008, Iyer feels no strain of main the group and simply wants to win one other trophy.
“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 number 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.
“This time I’m fairly clear about that place. And I’m going to be specializing in that number. As lengthy as coach approves of me,” Iyer said at the season opening media interaction seated alongside head coach Ricky Ponting.
Fresh from a successful Champions Trophy, Iyer is excited about his reunion with Ponting. They both worked together at Delhi Capitals.
“I’ve labored with him for nearly three years in a franchise. And I understand how he thinks about each particular person on and off the sphere. He helps everybody. You see in some locations there’s a senior-junior tradition.
“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,” Iyer mentioned.
“And it feels good to work with him. If, for example the result has gone here and there, his mind doesn’t fluctuate. He thinks in the same way. And he just likes to win.”
And what his shared purpose of the partnership with the Australian legend? “The importance is to win the trophy. There is no pressure (of Punjab having never won the IPL). It is an opportunity,” mentioned Iyer.
Was determined to work with Iyer
Ponting was all reward for Iyer at the media interplay. Punjab had retained solely two gamers forward of the mega public sale the place they constructed a squad filled with match winners together with Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell and Marco Jansen.
“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,” the previous Australia captain mentioned.
“He’s a great human being. He’s an IPL winning captain. You couldn’t ask for much more. He’s only joined the camp a couple of days ago. So he’s starting to make his mark on the team as a captain and as a leader.
“We’ve put an amazing squad collectively. As , captain-coach relationship in any group is significant. And I do know that we have got a very good sturdy one right here,” said Ponting.
The Australian great stressed on the importance of winning at home, something Punjab Kings have not been able to do in recent years.
“What I perceive is that in case you are not profitable at house, you aren’t profitable the IPL,” Ponting put it in simple terms.
“It’s one of many predominant causes that I’m sitting right here now. I wished a very sturdy teaching problem. And we have got that. But there isn’t any strain on us. What have we bought to lose? (having by no means gained).
“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.”
Punjab Kings play Gujarat Titans of their IPL opener in Ahmedabad on March 25.
Published – March 19, 2025 04:00 am IST
