Punjab Kings’ captain Shreyas Iyer was all praise for head coach Ricky Ponting after his team clinched a vital seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians, booking their place in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025. The win marked a significant milestone for Punjab, which returned to the playoffs for the first time since 2014, with Iyer’s leadership playing a central role in their resurgence.
Speaking after the match, Shreyas Iyer credited Ponting for his support and leadership philosophy. “There’s been a strong bond between Ricky and me for a few years now. He gives me the freedom to take charge on the field and trust my instincts. That clarity has helped shape our success,” Iyer shared during the post-match presentation.
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He also lauded the team’s resilience throughout the season. “Right from the start, the mindset in the dressing room was focused on winning, no matter the situation. Everyone stepped up when it mattered most. Whether it was with the bat, ball, or in the field, players delivered when we needed them. Credit also goes to the support staff and the management for fostering that belief,” Iyer added.
He reserved special praise for young opener Priyansh Arya and Australian keeper-batter Josh Inglis for their match-winning knocks.
“Priyansh’s approach was fearless. What we see in the nets is now translating beautifully on the field. As for Inglis, he’s been moved around in the order, but since he enjoys facing the new ball, we let him take charge early. That decision paid off, and he’s been fantastic,” he said.
Mumbai Indians skipper Hardik Pandya, meanwhile, admitted his side fell short with the bat. “We were 20 runs short, especially with how the pitch played. Either up top or in the middle, we missed a chance to push the score. In these kinds of games, that margin matters,” he reflected.
Hardik Pandya labelled the loss a much-needed reality check heading into the business end of the tournament.
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“This team has won five titles. We know IPL is brutal. The moment you let up, other teams take advantage. This was a wake-up call. We’ll regroup and come back stronger for the knockouts,” he said. He also pointed to the bowling unit’s off-day. “We weren’t clinical. A few poor deliveries, and they punished us. Some of their shots were brilliant too, but we could’ve done better in key phases,” he concluded.
With the playoffs now in sight, both teams will be eager to fine-tune their plans as the pressure of knockout cricket begins to mount.
