New Delhi: Shreyas Iyer has justified the immense faith shown in him by his Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting, emerging as a pivotal figure in India's triumphant ICC Champions Trophy 2025 campaign.
Iyer, who was backed strongly by the Australian legend ahead of the tournament, finished as India's highest run-getter with 243 runs at an average of 48.6. His crucial contributions in the knockout stages, including a composed 45 against Australia and a match-winning 48 against New Zealand, reinforced Ponting’s belief in his abilities.
Speaking at a media interaction ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025, Iyer credited Ponting’s unwavering support for instilling confidence in him. "He made me feel like I am a great player and that I can easily excel in this format. The confidence he gives a player is of a different level," Iyer remarked.
Ponting, who had earlier tipped Iyer as one of India's key players in the marquee tournament, was all praise for the batsman's leadership skills as well. "He’s an IPL-winning captain (with KKR in 2024) and a great human being. We could not have asked for more," the former Australia skipper said.
The 30-year-old batsman is set to lead Punjab Kings in the upcoming IPL season, reuniting with Ponting at the franchise. With a successful Champions Trophy campaign behind him, Iyer will look to carry forward his form and leadership prowess in the T20 extravaganza.