Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting expressed his happiness after Shreyas Iyer was appointed Team India’s captain in T20Is. The Australian legend has been vocal about Iyer’s talent and what he brings to the table as a leader. He has been urging the Indian Cricket Board to give Shreyas a chance. Ponting has worked closely with Shreyas Iyer in the Indian Premier League, and he shows the qualities of a player.

Their partnership took the Delhi Capitals and the Punjab Kings to the IPL final in 2020 and 2025, respectively. When Ponting was appointed PBKS head coach ahead of IPL 2025, he made sure to buy Iyer and spend INR 26.75 crore on the services of the Indian player. While Punjab haven’t won an IPL title to date, they have improved as a team in the last two years.

Ajit Agarkar, the head of the selection panel, highlighted Shreyas’s experience and leadership skills while revealing the reasons behind giving him the captaincy.

“I have been talking about Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy, and I even urged the BCCI to give him the captain’s armband. They will not be disappointed, and it is a big achievement for the player, who has been working hard behind the scenes. He will do a great job as a captain for the Indian team,” Ponting told The Times of India.

According to Ponting, Iyer has become a mature and accomplished leader, making his appointment a deserving award. He added that selectors have shown confidence in him despite the presence of other options.

Captaincy won’t impact Shreyas Iyer – Ricky Ponting

Ponting, who is one of the greatest captains in the history of cricket, mentioned that captaincy pressure will not impact Shreyas Iyer, stating that the Mumbai batter would enjoy leading the Indian team.

“He knew how to handle himself under pressure, and this is what pleased the Indian selectors before going for his name. When you are leading India in international cricket, it becomes a high-pressure job for the players. Shreyas Iyer has found ways to deliver in big matches and pressure moments over the years. He will be fine as a player and captain,” Ponting concluded.