Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting couldn’t be happier at Shreyas Iyer’s promotion to India’s T20I captaincy. The Australian legend revealed on Sunday that he had been ‘endorsing’ Shreyas for
the role with the BCCI men’s selectors, cajoling them to give him a chance.
Ponting has seen Shreyas’ best as a T20 captain. Together, they have taken two serial underachieving teams, Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings, to an IPL final each in 2020 and 2025, respectively. Ponting trusted Shreyas enough to splurge ₹26.75 crore on him in the auction, and while PBKS have yet to end their trophy drought, the team has discovered an identity that Punjabi fans have finally been able to relate with.
Shreyas’ experience and leadership skills were among the factors that chief selector Ajit Agarkar cited as the deal-makers for him to replace a World Cup-winning skipper in Suryakumar Yadav.
“I’ve been the one endorsing him for the role and telling the Indian selectors that if they give him a chance, I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. As I said, it’s a great achievement. It’s terrific recognition for the hard work he has put in over a long period of time, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job as captain of India,” Ponting told The Times of India.
Ponting said that Shreyas has gradually grown into a more mature and accomplished leader, making his captaincy appointment a well-deserved reward. He added that being chosen despite India’s wealth of talent reflects the confidence selectors have in him.
Shreyas won’t feel pressure
Ponting, one of the greatest captains in cricket’s history, also doesn’t think that pressure of the job won’t have any impact on Shreyas, arguing that the Mumbaikar would thrive in it.
“I think that’s probably one of the big things that the Indian selectors have looked at, just how he’s handled himself under pressure. Because it’s, you know, when you’re captain of India, it’s a high-pressure job. And I think, you know, more often than not, Shreyas has always found a way to play well in those big pressure moments. So I think as a player, he’ll be fine,” Ponting said.
