PBKS skipper Iyer lauds Ponting's coaching style

• PBKS lost IPL 2025 final to RCB, a memorable season after 11 years.
• Shreyas Iyer credits coach Ricky Ponting for team's comfortable environment.
• Iyer says Ponting's open style fostered confidence in PBKS players.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) fell short of their maiden IPL title by just six runs as they ended up losing the final of IPL 2025 against Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Ahmedabad on June 3. However, despite losing the final,

it turned out to be a memorable campaign for PBKS who entered the final 11 years after failing to even qualify into the top four after the final of IPL 2014. PBKS dominated the group stage and finished at the top of the points table with nine wins and 14 matches.

One of the main reasons for PBKS’ consistency in IPL 2025 was the arrival of Shreyas Iyer as captain. However, before Iyer, legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting was also appointed as Head Coach for PBKS ahead of IPL 2025. It turned out to be a great decision by the PBKS management as the coach and captain duo of Ponting and Iyer was returning after five years but for the different franchise. Recently, Shreyas Iyer revealed how Ponting was as Head coach of PBKS and how he made every player comfortable.

Ricky Ponting made everyone comfortable: Shreyas Iyer

In his recent podcast with Quest Talk on iQOO India on YouTube, Shreyas Iyer described Ricky Ponting’s qualities during his tenure as PBKS Head Coach in IPL 2025. Notably, Ponting and Iyer have also worked together as coach and captain respectively for Delhi Capitals in IPL 2020. This was also the year when Iyer led DC to the final of IPL for the first time in tournament’s history.

“This year, when Ricky came in as the coach, he made everyone comfortable. He instilled the sense that every player belonged to this franchise. He was open and honest about whatever he said,” Iyer said on a podcast.

“So, once you get that sort of feedback from your coach that you can come back and perform at the best of your abilities, you’re confident enough, and at the back of your mind, you feel very comfortable in the resting room and you can interact with everyone,” the PBKS skipper added.