Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting did not hold back in praising captain Shreyas Iyer after his match-winning knock against Delhi Capitals. After the record chase, Ponting revealed that Iyer’s leadership was a key reason why PBKS went for him in the IPL auction.
After the match, Ponting highlighted Iyer’s personality and his ability to close the chase as defining qualities.
DC vs PBKS, IPL 2026: MAIN DATA | Scorecard
“He’s a great person and that’s one of the reasons I went as hard as I did in the auction for him. I knew he would be a great leader for us as we look at rebuilding this team and the franchise,” Ponting said.
“One thing I know is if he’s there at the end during the chase, we’re not going to lose too many games. Even tonight I came out around 11 or 12 and grabbed him and said, ‘If you’re there at the end, we’re going to win this game.’ And he did it again. Full credit to him and all the lads for believing in him,” he added
Ponting’s words came after Iyer was leading Punjab to one of the most remarkable victories in IPL history after chasing 265 against Delhi Capitals on 25 April.
HOW IYER LED HISTORIC WIN OF PBKS VS RR?
Chasing a daunting 265, Punjab Kings showed no signs of panic, which Iyer ensured in the dressing room. Despite watching KL Rahul smash an unbeaten 152 and Nitish Rana add 91 to power Delhi to 264/2, Iyer kept the messages simple and calm.
This clarity was immediately evident on the pitch. Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya launched a terrific charge at the top, racing to 126 for no loss in just 6.5 overs and breaking the back of the chase.
With the platform, Iyer stepped in to manage the innings. He didn’t try to match the initial frenzy but ensured Punjab stayed on track, walking the chase smartly and keeping wickets in hand. His presence in the middle allowed PBKS to absorb the pressure and finish a strong target, completing what became the most successful run chase in T20 history.
The win also boosted Punjab’s strong start to the season as they remained unbeaten with five wins from six matches.
HOW GOOD WAS SHREYAS IYER IN DC Vs. PBKS?
Iyer’s knock was about control in chaos.
He finished unbeaten on 71 off 36 balls, hitting three fours and seven sixes, anchoring the chase while others played around him. It wasn’t just the runs, it was when they came. Each boundary ensured that Delhi never got back into the contest.
There were also moments of happiness. Iyer was twice dismissed by substitute fielder Karun Nair off Kuldeep Yadav when he was on 28 and 35. But he made Delhi pay and added another 43 runs after the first reprieve.
More importantly, he stayed until the end. And as Ponting pointed out, that’s where Iyer becomes most dangerous.
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– The end
Issued by:
Debodinna Chakraborty
Published on:
26 Apr 2026 13:24 IST
