Shreyas Iyer's appointment as India's T20I captain has brought immense joy to the cricket community, particularly to those who have worked closely with him. Among his biggest supporters is Ricky Ponting, who has mentored and coached Shreyas Iyer across two different IPL franchises, the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings. Ponting couldn't be happier to see the batter finally receive this prestigious recognition from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). Watching Shreyas being entrusted with the leadership of India’s T20I team prompted Ponting to open up about the private discussions he previously had with Indian selectors regarding the middle-order batsman.
I've been the one endorsing Shreyas for the role: Ricky Ponting
Having been a staunch admirer of Shreyas's tactical mind and batting prowess for years, Ponting revealed that he had been actively endorsing the batter to the BCCI selection committee for quite some time. Whenever the topic arose, the legendary Australian captain's message to the Indian selectors was always clear and unwavering: if they chose to invest in Shreyas Iyer as a leader, they would absolutely not be disappointed.
"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 TOI.
'Shreyas is certainly a better captain now, a better leader, and a more mature person'
The professional relationship between Ponting and Shreyas first flourished at the Delhi Capitals, where the young batsman led the franchise to its maiden IPL final during the 2020 season. Following his successful stint in Delhi, Shreyas continued to prove his leadership credentials by guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to an emphatic IPL title in 2024, right before making his move to PBKS. Upon joining PBKS, he once again demonstrated his tactical acumen and played an instrumental role in steering the Punjab franchise all the way to the final last year. Though Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) ultimately came out on top to clinch the trophy, Shreyas's ability to consistently lead different teams to the summit clash cemented his reputation as one of the finest captains in the circuit.
"And he's certainly a better captain now, a better leader, and probably a more mature and more well-rounded person now. So yeah, I think it's great recognition. I think he'll do a terrific job. And when you think of some of the other candidates, I mean, it's full credit to him that he's the captain now because there are a lot of other great players in India. We know there are many great players in the current Indian team. And that team has had great success over the last few years as well. So for them to name him as captain, I think it's great recognition and great reward," he added.
I'll give Shreyas a call and have a chat with him: Ponting
However, Ponting offered a crucial word of caution for Shreyas. He emphasised the need for Shreyas to approach this new responsibility with the utmost seriousness, highlighting the intense scrutiny that accompanies the position. Ponting noted that the pressure surrounding leadership roles in Indian cricket is exceptionally high, unlike almost any other sporting environment in the world. The legendary Australian skipper reminded the newly appointed captain that leading India requires immense mental fortitude. While celebrating Shreyas's well-deserved elevation, Ponting made it clear that managing the relentless expectations of millions of passionate fans and the media will be just as critical to his success as his tactical decisions on the field.
"So, yeah, I'm absolutely thrilled for him. Now that it's official, I'll actually give him a call and have a chat with him and congratulate him and make sure that he makes the most of it and understands the enormity of the role that he's been given. 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 concluded.