Shreyas Iyer, the captain of Punjab Kings, has stated his ambition to bat at No. 3 in the upcoming IPL 2025 season. This announcement comes after Iyer successfully led Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL title in 2024, primarily batting at No. 4. He occasionally adjusted his position to No. 5 or 6 last season to accommodate the team’s strategy.
Speaking at a press conference, Iyer emphasized the importance of IPL in Indian cricket and his strong desire to establish himself at the No. 3 position in T20 format. He clarified his focus on this batting order spot for the upcoming season, seeking approval from the coach.
Iyer is set to reunite with coach Ponting, with whom he previously collaborated at Delhi Capitals from 2019 to 2021, achieving playoff qualifications and reaching the final in 2020. Punjab Kings invested significantly in Iyer, acquiring him for INR 26.75 crore (approximately USD 3.18 million) at an IPL auction.
Coach Ponting expressed his eagerness to work with Iyer again, highlighting their successful past relationship at Delhi. He praised Iyer as a top player, an excellent individual, and an IPL-winning captain. Ponting emphasized the vital captain-coach partnership for team success.
Ponting addressed Punjab Kings’ weak home record in IPL 2024, where they won only one of seven home games, contributing to their second-to-last finish. He aims to improve home game performance, stating that home wins are crucial for IPL success. Ponting embraces the coaching challenge with no pressure, intending to play dynamic and entertaining cricket, confident in the team’s capabilities.
