Ponting believes Test snub is inspiring Iyer to perform
Mumbai, June 2 (UNI) Ricky Ponting believes in-form Shreyas Iyer is determined to prove national selectors wrong and guide Punjab Kings to their first Indian Premier League title.
Iyer was a notable absentee when India named their 18-player squad for their upcoming five-match Test tour of England, and the in-form right-hander has responded well by scoring runs and leading the Kings into the IPL final against Royal Challengers Bangalore. If the Kings manage to win, this will be their maiden IPL title.
ICC Hall of Famer and Punjab Kings head coach Ponting discussed Iyer's absence from India's Test squad on The ICC Review last week and the Australian great said the in-form middle-order batter had moved on quickly from the disappointment to try and focus on helping the Kings create history in the IPL.
"I actually was gutted…but he's accepted that really well and he's moved on," Ponting said on The ICC Review of Iyer, prior to the IPL Playoffs commencing.
"He's just got that real hunger in his eyes to do well every time that he plays for us here and wants to win games of cricket and wants to evolve and develop into the best leader and captain that he can be."
Iyer was one of India's best performers during their run to the finals in the ICC Men's Cricket World Cup 2023, and was the side's leading run-scorer at the ICC Champions Trophy event at the start of this year.
He has also scored plenty of runs recently against the red ball at the first-class level in India, and Ponting thought that strong form would have seen Iyer win a recall to the Test side.
"Certain other players that have been picked in that (Test) squad have done it on the back of good first-class cricket and good IPL seasons leading up to that selection and Shreyas has done
absolutely everything the same as some of those other players," Ponting noted.
"So I was disappointed that he didn't get picked as I actually felt that he would get picked. But he didn't. And I think that probably makes him a little bit hungrier for us when these playoff games come around."
Ponting's working relationship with Iyer is not a new partnership, with the pair having combined previously at the Delhi Capitals and having helped the side into the playoffs from 2019 to 2021,
and an appearance in the final in 2020.
The duo get the chance to go one better this year against Royal Challengers Bangalore, with Iyer's match-winning innings of 87 not out from just 41 deliveries against the Mumbai Indians on Sunday helping the Kings earn their place in the final in what is Ponting's first year as coach of the franchise.
Iyer scored 243 runs from five innings at India's successful Champions Trophy earlier this year and has tallied 603 runs for the Kings from 16 innings at the IPL this year to be sixth overall on the leading run-scorer charts.
"I enjoy playing a bit of a role with him as we work really well together," Ponting said.
"We talk a lot together about the game and tactics and, I think he said last night that he said 'that
I leave it to Ricky to look after the tactical stuff and pick the players, and then he hands it over to
me and I go and execute it out on the field'.
"And that's the way we've worked, this year and it's been nice to get that sort of working relationship back together again," Ponting added.
UNI BM
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Pink Villa
9 minutes ago
- Pink Villa
Fans shower love on Preity Zinta after RCB's IPL 2025 win leaves her in tears: ‘A queen without a crown'
The IPL 2025 may be over, but the celebration will go on for a long time. It was indeed a much-awaited win for the Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB), and the fans are still in celebratory mode. But in sports, when a team wins, there is another team that loses. And this year, it was Preity Zinta' s Punjab Kings (PBKS) who lost. But, as much as the internet is filled with praises for Virat Kohli, fans unite to stand in support of the actress too. We bring to you all the tweets that show how fans are asking her to put a 'superb fight' next year. Several fans took to their X handle to express their sadness at seeing Preity Zinta get emotional after PBKS's defeat. One of the fans wrote, "Chin up @realpreityzinta.... The crown must not fall! Put up a superb fight next time!!" Another fan wrote, "#PreityZinta- A Gem for #PunjabKings Tough luck again this time!" A third fan wrote, "Virat ko jeetna jaruri tha bahut tane sune usne Aiyer out nahin hone see jeet jata punjab But #PreityZinta next time jarur jitegi punjab ko bhe jeete dehna chahta hun." Yet another fan wrote, "Don't be disappointed #preityzinta. Cricket is an uncertain game. Don't give up, your time will come." Tweets that followed were, "No one talks about it enough - Preity Zinta truly deserves an IPL trophy. One of the most passionate owners in the game. Hard luck," and "If it's # viratKohli's 18th year in the IPL, then it's #PreityZinta too. Not as a player - but as the soul of Punjab Kings, Match after match, season after season - she showed up. A queen without a crown." Well, 2025 was Virat Kohli and RCB's year, and it was a spectacular win for them. Taking to his Instagram post, the cricketer shared a long note of appreciation for his team and thanked fans for their support. They waited 18 long years to lift the trophy, and the moment is finally here. Talking about IPL 2025, although the season is over, the fever will persist for some time now. Anushka Sharma and Virat Kohli 's adorable moments are breaking the internet, and fans cannot get enough of their fairytale romance. For Preity, all we can say is better luck next time!
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
Operation Sindoor may have played a role in RCB finally winning IPL after 18 years
Synopsis Royal Challengers Bengaluru secured a historic IPL victory. Coach Andy Flower credits a mid-season break for the team's resurgence. Key players like Rajat Patidar and Josh Hazlewood recovered during this time. Hazlewood's wickets and Patidar's captaincy were crucial. Flower praised Patidar's calm leadership amidst pressure. The team overcame a demanding schedule and injuries to achieve success.
Time of India
11 minutes ago
- Time of India
What did Virat Kohli's spiritual guru, Premanand Maharaj-ji, tell the cricketer weeks before RCB's maiden IPL title win?
After nearly two decades of tireless effort and countless heartbreaks, Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) finally lifted their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy, ending an 18-year-long quest. The victory came in a nail-biting final against Punjab Kings at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad, where RCB emerged triumphant by six runs. It wasn't just a win—it was a cathartic release for a team that had weathered years of disappointment and near-misses. For their devoted fans and players alike, the moment was soaked in relief, pride, and emotion. Virat Kohli's Emotional Milestone At the center of this historic achievement stood Virat Kohli—RCB's cornerstone, whose dedication to the franchise has spanned almost his entire professional career. Kohli's contribution throughout the seasons has been defined by fierce loyalty, monumental performances, and a relentless hunger for success. This title represented more than just a trophy—it signified the reward for years of emotional investment, hard work, and sacrifice. With 43 runs to his name in the final, Kohli once again rose to the occasion, leading from the front with quiet resilience and unshakable focus. A Tribute to Brotherhood and Legacy Adding emotional depth to the win was the presence of AB de Villiers—Kohli's close confidant and former teammate—watching from the sidelines. Though de Villiers retired from all formats of cricket four years ago, his imprint on RCB remains deep. With over 4,500 runs at a breathtaking strike rate and 157 appearances, he remains one of the most celebrated players in the team's history. Kohli acknowledged the legacy de Villiers left behind, crediting the win as a shared triumph. It was a symbolic moment—a nod to the bond that went beyond the boundary ropes. A Fanbase Finally Rewarded This championship was not just for the players; it was a long-overdue celebration for RCB's fanbase—among the most passionate in the league. For years, they stood by their team through crushing defeats and failed campaigns, never letting their spirit waver. Their faith, tested time and again, was finally validated. Captain Rajat Patidar, who led the squad this season, credited the entire team's effort while singling out Kohli's influence as pivotal in inspiring unity and belief. A Spiritual Awakening In the midst of sporting glory, Kohli's personal transformation also gained attention. Shortly after announcing his retirement from Test cricket, he traveled with his wife, actor Anushka Sharma, to Vrindavan to seek spiritual guidance from Shri Hit Premanand Govind Sharan Ji Maharaj. The couple visited the Shri Hit Radha Keli Kunj Ashram and engaged in an introspective dialogue known as Ekantik Vartalaap. The spiritual teacher emphasized that true abundance stems not from divine favor but from inner transformation and thought clarity. The Guru said that prosperity is not God's grace but a change of inner thoughts. The Guru also focused on how adversity makes us stronger and brings us closer to God. He emphasized that God always shows the right path to those who are in trouble or facing a challenging phase of their life. He also said that adversity is not something to be frightened of. If anyone is facing a challenge, it's a divine sign that God is guiding them to the 'satmarg,' or right path. He advised Virushka to chant the name of God with joy. Loyalty Rewarded, Legacy Cemented The night belonged to RCB, but the image that will be etched in memory is that of Kohli hoisting the trophy aloft, sprinting toward a stadium bathed in red. Fans erupted in joy, their chants echoing the years of hope finally realized. A video shared by the team captured this electric moment, reminding everyone that this triumph wasn't handed over by fortune—it was earned by loyalty, patience, and unwavering belief.
