‘Ricky Ponting takes a lot of load off Shreyas Iyer’: Ashwin breaks down Punjab Kings' resurgence under Aussie great

Ashwin highlighted the strong dynamic between Shreyas and Ponting, noting that the trust and understanding between them have helped ease the leadership burden.

Updated on: Mar 25, 2026, 18:09:27 IST

Written by Aditya Maheshwari

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Punjab Kings remain one of the three sides yet to lift an Indian Premier League trophy, alongside Delhi Capitals and Lucknow Super Giants, and that wait has only added to the pressure over the years. The franchise has often made questionable calls around retention and auctions, reflecting that desperation. However, things began to settle last season with Shreyas Iyer taking over as captain and Ricky Ponting stepping in as head coach. Punjab showed clear signs of progress, putting together a strong campaign to reach the IPL 2025 final, where they eventually fell short against Royal Challengers Bengaluru. The Iyer–Ponting partnership brought a sense of direction and stability, and the camp will be hoping that the same combination can build on that momentum in the upcoming season.

Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting duo has worked well for Punjab Kings last season. (PTI)

Former Punjab Kings skipper Ravichandran Ashwin highlighted the strong dynamic between Shreyas and Ponting, noting that the trust and understanding between the captain and coach have helped ease the leadership burden in their setup.

“Shreyas Iyer is slightly chilled, he loves to take inputs from Ricky Ponting. He listens. It’s almost like they have a very good elder-brother, younger-brother kind of relationship. Where Shreyas knows that Ricky has his back, Ricky always does good recruitment, manages the team well, and manages ownership well. It takes a lot of load off Shreyas, allowing him not only to focus on his batting but also to lead in a relaxed, outward-facing way. We can see that, so I think they are a good combination," Ashwin said on his YouTube channel.

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“Ricky Ponting stays till the last moment”

PBKS played some quality cricket last season, beating Mumbai Indians to secure a place in the final, with Shreyas Iyer leading from the front and Ricky Ponting nurturing young talent, though they ultimately fell short in the big finale.

Ashwin also shed light on Ponting’s hands-on approach, emphasising how the head coach remains deeply involved in training sessions and ensures that every player in the Punjab Kings squad gets equal attention and support.

“He (Ponting) always stays in the nets until the very end. Even for the last batsman in the team, the one at the end of the squad, who, as you know, rarely gets a chance, he gives them time. Ricky Ponting doesn’t leave, he stays till the last moment and makes sure they are properly facilitated," he added.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Aditya Maheshwari
Aditya Maheshwari is a Chief Content Producer and sports journalist with over seven years of experience covering the sports beat across formats and platforms. A cricket-first reporter by profession, he also follows football closely and considers it an integral part of his sporting journey. His work is shaped by a strong on-ground understanding of the game and an ability to translate match-day moments into clear, engaging stories that connect with readers across digital audiences. Over the years, he has developed a balanced approach that combines factual accuracy with narrative clarity, ensuring that both breaking developments and deeper insights are presented with context. Aditya has reported from the field at several major tournaments, including the ICC Cricket World Cup, the Indian Premier League, and the Indian Super League. First-hand coverage of these events has strengthened his ability to read the pulse of high-pressure contests, whether through live reporting, post-match analysis, or long-form storytelling. Working closely around teams, venues, and evolving storylines has helped him develop a strong sense of timing and editorial judgment. While cricket remains his primary focus, Aditya regularly reports on football and keeps a close watch on other sports such as tennis, hockey, and badminton. His wide-ranging interest allows him to approach stories with broader perspective, understanding how different sporting ecosystems function and evolve. Comfortable in fast-paced digital newsrooms, Aditya is well-versed in modern sports coverage, from live blogs and real-time updates to in-depth analysis and audience-focused storytelling. He believes in keeping sports writing simple, accurate, and grounded, with emphasis on clarity over complexity. At the core of his work lies a commitment to credible reporting and telling stories that go beyond the numbers on the scoreboard, highlighting the people, preparation, and pressure behind every performance.Read More

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