Shreyas taking his game to next level, says Ponting

In the post-match briefing after Punjab thrashed Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Wednesday night, Ponting said that Shreyas’ growing maturity and tactical acumen were elevating his game.

Hyderabad: Former Australian great and now Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting said that captain Shreyas Iyer had been taking his game to a new level.

In the post-match briefing after Punjab thrashed Chennai Super Kings in Chennai on Wednesday night, Ponting said that Shreyas’ growing maturity and tactical acumen were elevating his game.

“We are really close off the field. We talk a lot about the game, his batting, and tactics. He’s a more mature player now. I think he understands the game and situations probably better than ever before,” Ponting said.

“Shreyas has started this tournament in a form I’ve never seen him in before. His first three or four games for us were outstanding. And today is one of the reasons I was so keen to get him here as our captain,” former Aussie captain said.

“I know how good a player he is, how good a leader he is, and how hungry he is for success. I think he proved that to everybody tonight. Because that wasn’t ever going to be an easy run chase,” Ponting said.

“Shreyas won the IPL last year as captain. So when you’ve done that and you’ve got that experience behind you, you believe and trust in your instincts,” he said.

“Shreyas’ ability to stay calm on the field. His maturity. I think anytime he makes a decision, he sticks with it and trusts it. That’s a great thing for a captain,” Ponting said.

“It didn’t look like Chahal was going to take four for 32 today, did it at one stage?” Ponting quipped. “Then he comes on, gets a hat-trick and four wickets in an over. That actually put the brakes right on them. They could have gotten 220 or 210 at the end,” Punjab head coach concluded.