Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed his delight after Shreyas Iyer was appointed as India’s T20I, replacing Suryakumar Yadav at the helm. Ponting said Iyer has shown the right leadership skills in the Indian Premier League.
Iyer led Kolkata Knight Riders to glory in IPL 2024 whereas Delhi Capitals and Punjab Kings made to the final of the tournament in 2020 and 2025 season respectively under his leadership.
Ponting said Iyer has shown great improvement in the last three to four years and deserves to lead India in T20Is. Iyer recently led Punjab Kings in the IPL but the Mohali-based franchise failed to make it to the playoffs despite getting off to a perfect start in the first half of the tournament.
Iyer has been a consistent performer for India in ODI format and he would look to carry the good show.
“It’s great recognition of what he’s done over the last three or four years really,” said Ponting on the Times of India.
“I mean, you wind the clock back three years ago of IPL cricket. He obviously captained KKR to a title there. You know, captained us, Punjab, into the final last year and did a terrific job captaining our team again this year, albeit not making it through to the qualifiers. But the thing that stands out most for me about him is how he’s conducted himself and how he’s handled himself over the last three or four years. Like there’s, I’m sure there’s probably been times when he’s felt that he probably should have been picked in a few more Indian teams that he has, but he’s always just got back to work. He’s put his head down and he’s worked really hard and he’s become a much better player now than I think he was four or five years ago.”
“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 added.
Ponting has observed Iyer from close quarters as PBKS head coach and has backed his IPL captain to deliver for India.
