Punjab Kings (PBKS) have been on a roll this season under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer, reaching the playoffs for the first time in 11 years. Players have made their presence felt across departments rather than relying solely on big names, as was often the case in the past. A major factor behind this transformation has been the burning desire in Shreyas’ mind ever since the IPL 2025 auction.
“From the start, ever since I was picked in the auction, my desire has been clear — Punjab hasn’t won the trophy yet, and my goal is to help the team lift it for the first time,” said Shreyas during an exclusive interaction with Star Sports.“I want to make the fans proud and give them a reason to celebrate — because in the end, we all want to see that iconic Punjabi celebration,” added the Punjab Kings captain, who previously won the IPL with KKR in 2024.PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting hailed the team’s culture and the way players are performing together as a unit. However, he also emphasised the importance of staying focused rather than getting carried away by success.
“When I first took the job, the one thing I told the owners was — things are going to be different. But saying that is one thing; getting the players to buy in is another. They’re the ones who actually bring change, not me. I can share ideas, create a culture, but we all have to be in it together. That’s been my message from day one — from our baggage guys to our captain — we’re all on the same page, working toward the same goal,” said Ponting.
“It feels like the boys have bought into that, and they’re enjoying themselves. But we need to stay focused. There are still a few weeks left in the tournament. We’ve played good cricket, but we haven’t achieved anything yet. There’s still a lot more to accomplish as a team,” added the former Australia captain.
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