Ricky Ponting’s room is open 24/7 for anyone to talk: Shreyas Iyer

Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has heaped praise on the head coach Ricky Ponting, who made everyone comfortable in the dressing room. Notably, Ponting was appointed as the head coach of the PBKS franchise ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

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Earlier, Ponting was part of the Delhi Capitals set-up from 2018 to 2024, propelling the franchise to three consecutive playoff seasons from 2019 to 2021, including their maiden final appearance in 2020.

Speaking exclusively on the IQOO India YouTube channel’s podcast, Iyer disclosed that Ponting’s honesty, inclusiveness, and "open-door policy" helped players feel confident and perform at their best.

"This year, when Ricky came in as the coach, he made everyone comfortable. He instilled the sense that every player belonged to this franchise. He was open and honest about whatever he said,” Iyer said on the IQOO India YouTube channel’s podcast.

“So, once you get that sort of feedback from your coach that you can come back and perform at the best of your abilities, you're confident enough, and at the back of your mind, you feel very comfortable in the resting room, and you can interact with everyone. He told us that, he had a dialogue, that my room is open 24/7 for anyone to talk, if you have anything to share, any advice you want, you can have a chat,” he added.

Iyer and Ponting propelled the Punjab Kings to the grand finale of the 18th edition of the IPL. However, they suffered a six-run defeat to the eventual champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the final.

Iyer emerged as the sixth-highest run-scorer in the IPL 2025, amassing 604 runs in 17 matches at an average of 50.33, a strike rate of 175.07 with six fifties. His best score was 97* came against the Gujarat Titans.

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