Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has hailed the decision of the Indian cricket team’s selection committee to name Shreyas Iyer as the new T20I captain. On Saturday, the Mumbai batter was named as the new T20I captain for the series against Ireland, England and the Asian Games 2026, replacing fellow Mumbaikar Suryakumar Yadav at the helm of affairs. Ponting, who has been associated with Iyer since the latter’s tenure in Delhi Capitals, followed by their reunion at PBKS, has dubbed the move as a right one, while backing Shreyas to not disappoint the selectors.
The Shreyas Iyer-Ricky Ponting bonhomie
Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting worked together when both were a part of the DC franchise during 2018-2021. In 2020, the middle-order batter led the franchise to their first-ever IPL final, with Ponting serving as the head coach. Then, Iyer moved to KKR for two seasons, where he led the team to their third title in 2024, after which he was bought by PBKS, where the duo reunited. The duo have been a great combination while working together.
Now, after working with Shreyas for a couple of IPL seasons in PBKS, the head coach is delighted with the former’s appointment as the new T20I captain. Speaking to the Times of India, Ponting revealed that he had constantly been telling the Indian selectors to hand over the reins of the T20I team to Iyer, and that the latter wouldn’t disappoint.
“I’ve been the one endorsing him for the role and telling the Indian selectors that if they give him a chance, I don’t think they’ll be disappointed. As I said, it’s a great achievement. It’s terrific recognition for the hard work he has put in over a long period of time, and I’m sure he’ll do a great job as captain of India,” Ponting said.
It is pertinent to point out that Iyer last played a T20I way back in 2023, and since then has been sidelined from the shortest format of the game. Consistent performances in domestic cricket and in the IPL, apart from his leadership ability paved way for his ascension to the top. Despite not being a part of the T20 WC 2026 squad, Iyer managed to score 498 runs from 14 matches in IPL 2026, marking his second best IPL season.
As a captain, Iyer has been outstanding over the last three IPL seasons, having guided KKR to their third title in 2024, taking PBKS to the final in 2025 followed by another good season for the Kings in 2026.
“And he’s certainly a better captain now, a better leader, and probably a more mature and more well-rounded person now. So yeah, I think it’s great recognition. I think he’ll do a terrific job. And when you think of some of the other candidates, I mean, it’s full credit to him that he’s the captain now because there are a lot of other great players in India. We know there are many great players in the current Indian team. And that team has had great success over the last few years as well. So for them to name him as captain, I think it’s great recognition and great reward,” Ponting added.
