PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting reveals reason for picking Shreyas Iyer at IPL 2025 mega auction

New Delhi: Punjab Kings (PBKS) shelled out a massive Rs. 26.75 crore on Shreyas Iyer at the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 auction in Jeddah on Sunday. PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting rated the Team India star as an ideal choice for the team in IPL 2025 as he carries vast experience of the league and has even led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) to title triumph in the IPL 2024.

Iyer’s bid of Rs. 26.75 crore momentarily made him the most expensive IPL player in history before his compatriot Rishabh Pant entered the auction with a bang, setting a new benchmark as he bagged a deal of staggering Rs. 27 crore from Lucknow Super Giants. After all the marquee players were sold, Ponting was asked about Punjab’s buy of Shreyas Iyer and the former Australia cricketer reasoned why the team went after him.

“I’ve worked with him in the past in Delhi (Capitals), he’s been a successful captain in the IPL before. Obviously, he’s a championship-winning captain from last season. We’ve got someone there who can do the job if that’s the way we decide to go,” Ponting said during a mid-auction press meet.

Ponting on Iyer’s domestic performance

Ponting, a World Cup-winning captain for Australia, also highlighted Iyer’s domestic cricket exploits as he hit an unbeaten 130 for Mumbai in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy on Saturday. “I’m delighted to have him back and work with him. He also got a good 57-ball 130 not out in the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy yesterday. If he can do that for us in the IPL, I think we all will be happy,” Ponting added.

Punjab Kings purchased three marquee players including Iyer, the other two being left-arm quick Arshdeep Singh and veteran leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Ponting said that they have hit their targets. “The thing with the auction is that you just have to be flexible and move with the way the auction goes. We had some targets coming in and hit those three targets so far,” he added.

(With PTI inputs)

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