Punjab Kings are enjoying an exceptional run in the ongoing IPL 2026 season, remaining unbeaten in their first five games, with the Shreyas Iyer-led side sitting atop the points table.
On Thursday, Punjab secured a thumping seven-wicket win over Hardik Pandya's Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai. Chasing 195, Prabhsimran Singh and Shreyas Iyer outclassed Mumbai's bowling line-up with their stunning knocks of 80 not-out off 39 balls and 66 off 35 deliveries respectively, finishing the game with 21 balls to spare.
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In an interaction with JioHotstar, PBKS coach Ricky Ponting revealed the philosophy followed by him, saying that he believes in creating the right environment for the players which helps them to grow and feel valued.
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"For me, it starts with creating the right environment where every player feels valued and on the same page," said Ricky Ponting.
The former Australian cricketer further said that he wants to support and challenge the players instead of controlling them. Ponting noted that T20 cricket demands only a few players to perform well on any given occasion.
"As a coach, I’m there to support and challenge them, not to control them. Even when they fail, they need to know that’s part of the game. In T20 cricket, you only need a few players to step up on any given day. So, it’s about building a strong group with clearly defined roles," added Ponting.
"That was a big part of our auction strategy as well, getting the right people in to shape the culture. When players feel backed, like someone like Prabhsimran or Shashank, they respond with performances, and that’s what ultimately drives results," concluded Ponting.
Shreyas Iyer's strong performances in IPL 2026
After playing five games, Shreyas Iyer has managed to gather 203 runs at an average of 67.67 with a massive strike rate of 187.96. He currently stands at sixth place in the Orange Cap holders' list.
Punjab Kings' red-hot form in IPL 2026
After playing five games in the tournament, Shreyas Iyer's side stays unbeaten with nine points in hand at a net run rate of +1.067. Their game against Kolkata Knight Riders was abandoned because of rain and one point was shared between the two teams.
PBKS will face Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) in their upcoming fixture on Sunday, April 19 at the PCA New Cricket Stadium, Tira.