Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been the team to watch out for this season. With Shreyas Iyer leading them and Ricky Ponting at the helm of things, they have secured a spot in top two. After a comprehensive seven-wicket win over five-time champions Mumbai Indians (MI), head coach Ponting lauded Iyer with whom he had worked at Delhi Capitals (DC) as well. He talked about why he wanted Iyer in the mega auction no matter the hefty price tag.
"I was pretty keen to work with him [Iyer] again," Ponting told the broadcasters after the match at Sawai Mansingh, Jaipur. "It was pretty obvious that how much money I was willing to spend on him at the auction. We had a great working relationship in Delhi, we made a final in Delhi under his captaincy."
Ponting praised Iyer for spending time with players and motivating them with a dynamic approach. The former Australlian captain hailed him as a 'strong leader'.
"I've known him as a person and as a player for a long time. He's a quality person and when you've got quality people around your team, when you're trying to make a difference and you're trying to change culture, that's what you need. If you spoke to the players individually, I think every single one of them would give Shreyas a great rap because he has spent a lot of time with them," the 50-year-old said.
"He's pumped them up, he's given them a pat on the back when they needed it, and he's given them a kick in the pants when they've needed it as well, which is a sign of a really good and strong leader," he added.
Iyer relishing the freedom as PBKS captain
Iyer thanked Ponting for giving him a free hand and not just stick to the plan chalked out on the drawing board. The top-order batter has often said that he is an instinctive captain and Ponting has helped him be himself on the field by working behind the scenes with players.
"He just gives me that freedom to go out there and express myself, especially being decisive on the field. I tell him that you do the thinking outside, let me go and execute things on the field. So yeah, all these things have culminated in a great way and I'm kind of ecstatic that everything is working," Iyer said in the post-match presentation.
"Ricky has been fantastic with the player management. And for me, it's important to gain the trust of each and every individual. And that happened initially by winning the matches. And the more interactions you have with the players, the more confidence they get."
Who will PBKS face in Qualifier 1?
PBKS are at the top of the points table. They will play in the Qualifier 1 in Mullanpur on May 29. Their opponent will be either Gujarat Titans (GT) or Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). In the final league stage clash, RCB will go up against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG). If they beat the Rishabh Pant-led LSG, they will progress to the Qualifier 1. Otherwise, they will play in the Eliminator on May 30 in Mullanpur.