Shreyas Iyer is all set to take on a new challenge with Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the upcoming IPL season and is thrilled to reunite with head coach Ricky Ponting. The dynamic right-hander, who fetched an impressive INR 26.75 crore in the IPL mega auction in Jeddah, is ready to put his leadership skills and batting prowess to the test.
Reunion with Ricky Ponting
Iyer and Ponting have shared a strong camaraderie since their time together at Delhi Capitals from 2018 to 2020. Speaking about their renewed partnership, Iyer expressed his excitement, stating:
“Ricky and I have had a great bond in the past. With him coming in, we’ll be brainstorming on various strategies and putting our thinking caps on. I’m confident we can deliver from the very first match.”
A Stellar Year for Shreyas Iyer
The year 2024 has been a turnaround for Iyer, who bounced back after being omitted from BCCI’s Central Contracts list earlier in the year. His domestic and IPL achievements have been nothing short of remarkable:
Ranji Trophy Winner: Iyer played a key role in Mumbai clinching their 42nd title.
IPL Triumph: He captained Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to their third IPL trophy.
Irani Cup Victory: Iyer was instrumental in Mumbai’s win in the prestigious Irani Cup.
Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy: Leading Mumbai, he secured their triumph over Madhya Pradesh in the final held in Bengaluru.
“It’s been an incredible year, winning four trophies. But my ultimate goal now is to bring Punjab Kings their first IPL title,” Iyer said.
PBKS Squad Brimming with Talent
PBKS made significant acquisitions in the auction, including star players like Glenn Maxwell, Yuzvendra Chahal, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Arshdeep Singh. With a balanced mix of youth and experience, the team looks well-equipped for the 2025 IPL season.
Punjab Kings IPL 2025 Squad:
Batsmen: Shreyas Iyer, Glenn Maxwell, Prabhsimran Singh, Harnoor Pannu, Suryansh Shedge, Nehal Wadhera, Musheer Khan
All-rounders: Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Xavier Bartlett
Bowlers: Yuzvendra Chahal, Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, Harpreet Brar, Vijaykumar Vyshak, Yash Thakur, Kuldeep Sen, Lockie Ferguson, Pyla Avinash
Wicketkeepers: Vishnu Vinod, Josh Inglis
Other Players: Shashank Singh, Azmatullah Omarzai, Priyansh Arya, Pravin Dubey
Aiming for Glory with PBKS
Iyer’s focus remains firmly on helping PBKS secure their first IPL trophy. “Joining the Punjab Kings family is a surreal feeling,” Iyer said. “We’ve assembled a strong squad, and I can’t wait to work with Ricky and the team to make this season a memorable one for our fans.”
As the IPL 2025 season approaches, PBKS fans will hope that Shreyas Iyer’s leadership and Ricky Ponting’s strategic acumen can finally bring the coveted title to Punjab.
