Shreyas Iyer’s growing maturity and tactical acumen are elevating his game, said Ricky Ponting after Punjab Kings (PBKS) handed Chennai Super Kings (CSK) a defeat at the M.A. Chidambaram Stadium on Wednesday.
“He and I are really close off the field. We talk a lot about the game, his batting, and tactics. He’s taking his game to a new level. He’s a more mature player now. I think he understands the game and situations probably better than ever before,” the PBKS head coach said.
According to the Australian, Shreyas played a captain’s knock of 72 runs in chasing down the 191-run target on a pitch where he thought anything close to 170 was a good total.
“Shreyas has started this tournament in a form I’ve never seen him in before. His first three or four games for us were outstanding. And today is one of the reasons I was so keen to get him here as our captain,” he said.
“I know how good a player he is, how good a leader he is, and how hungry he is for success. I think he proved that to everybody tonight. Because that wasn’t ever going to be an easy run chase,” he added.
A lot more confident Shreyas
Ponting and Shreyas previously worked together at the Delhi Capitals when they took the franchise to its first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) final in 2020. The Australian legend thinks the PBKS captain has gained a lot of confidence since.
Ponting and Shreyas Iyer, then as part of Delhi Capitals, having a chat during practice ahead of an IPL 2020 match.
| Photo Credit:
SPORTZPICS
Ponting and Shreyas Iyer, then as part of Delhi Capitals, having a chat during practice ahead of an IPL 2020 match.
| Photo Credit:
SPORTZPICS
“… that comes with experience. I mean, he won the IPL last year as captain. So when you’ve done that and you’ve got that experience behind you, you believe and trust in your instincts,” Ponting opined.
“His ability to stay calm on the field. His maturity. I think anytime he makes a decision, he sticks with it and trusts it. That’s a great thing for a captain.”
On Wednesday, CSK appeared set for a strong finish until Yuzvendra Chahal turned the tide in the 19th over, picking four wickets – including the prized scalp of MS Dhoni – and claiming his second IPL hat-trick.
Ponting added that Chahal’s late impact would be a major confidence booster.
“It didn’t look like he was going to take four for 32 today, did it at one stage?” Ponting quipped. “Then he comes on, gets a hat-trick and four wickets in an over. That actually put the brakes right on them. They could have gotten 220 or 210 at the end.”