NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings achieved a historic run chase against Delhi Capitals, with head coach Ricky Ponting crediting skipper Shreyas Iyer for the victory. Chasing a daunting target of 265, Punjab maintained belief throughout, guided by Iyer's unbeaten 71.
Ponting Praises Iyer's Leadership
Ponting expressed his admiration for Iyer, stating, "He's a great person. That's why I pushed hard for him in the auction. I knew he would be a great leader to rebuild this team and franchise."
Opening Partnership Sets the Tone
Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya provided a flying start with aggressive batting, setting the momentum early. Iyer ensured their efforts were not wasted by anchoring the chase till the end. Ponting highlighted the duo's complementary styles, noting, "Left hand, right hand. Both hit different parts of the ground."
Ponting's Confidence in Iyer
Ponting revealed his faith in Iyer during the chase, saying, "I knew if he's in at the end, we won't lose many games. At the 11th or 12th over, I told him, 'If you're in at the end, we'll win.' And he did it again."
Areas for Improvement
Despite the record chase, Ponting acknowledged bowling and fielding weaknesses. "It's satisfying to have the highest run chase, but you also concede a lot of runs. We have work to do," he said.
Mentoring Young Talent
Ponting also spoke about mentoring players like Prabhsimran, emphasizing his role as a teacher. "Thankfully, he's listening and getting the job done," Ponting added.
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