Punjab Kings’ head coach Ricky Ponting has lauded Shreyas Iyer’s leadership abilities following Punjab’s thumping four-wicket victory against Chennai Super Kings on Wednesday at Chepauk. Having worked closely with Iyer previously, Ponting feels that Iyer is demonstrating more confidence and maturity now. During the match, Iyer played a significant knock of 72 to give the side a perfect start. However, he couldn’t smash the winning runs, losing his wicket to Matheesha Pathirana on the fourth delivery of the 19th over. 

“He and I are really close off the field. We talk a lot about the game. We talk a lot about his batting and tactics. He’s taking his game to a new level. He’s a more mature player now. I think he understands the game and situations probably better than ever before. And I think that was showcased there tonight, to be able to play the way that he did. You know, he'll be disappointed with himself that he didn't hit the winning runs; he didn't get his team across the line because I know how much he prides himself on being the man that's there at the end to win games. But look, I love working with him, he talks with all the players, all the players love working with him,” Ponting said during the post-match press conference. 

"The way he communicates with them, whether it's during the game or at practice or back at the team hotel… we've managed to create a really good environment that everybody seems to be really happy in and the boys are playing some good cricket in. So, all in all, it was another good performance from us tonight."

Shreyas Iyer led KKR to the IPL title last year before joining Punjab Kings ahead of the IPL 2025. Meanwhile, Iyer and Ponting led DC to the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, serving as the head coach and the captain, respectively.  

"He's a lot more confident in himself now than he was, and that comes with experience. 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."

"You know, fours and sixes are flying everywhere. His ability to stay calm on the field, although he might not have been that calm tonight when we were a couple of overs late getting through the overs, but just his maturity, I think, and that experience."