Shreyas Iyer eyes historic IPL triumph with Punjab Kings, aiming to end their title drought. Under his leadership and Ricky Ponting’s guidance, PBKS has reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014 and now targets their maiden trophy.
Punjab Kings skipper Shreyas Iyer has set his sights on creating history by leading the team to their first-ever Indian Premier League (IPL) title. Speaking candidly ahead of their high-stakes playoff match, Iyer expressed his unwavering commitment to ending Punjab’s long-standing title drought and giving their loyal fanbase a reason to celebrate.
“From the start, ever since I was picked in the auction, my desire has been clear — Punjab hasn’t won the trophy yet, and my goal is to help the team lift it for the first time. I want to make the fans proud and give them a reason to celebrate — because in the end, we all want to see that iconic Punjabi celebration,” Iyer told Star Sports.
The IPL 2024 season marks a significant turnaround for the franchise, who secured a top-two finish and reached the playoffs for the first time since 2014. Iyer, the former IPL-winning captain of Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR), was acquired by Punjab Kings in last year’s mega auction for ₹26.75 crore — a record-breaking amount that is now proving to be a worthy investment.
A major part of Punjab’s transformation is attributed to the renewed leadership dynamics, with Iyer at the helm and Australian great Ricky Ponting as head coach. The duo had previously collaborated at Delhi Capitals, guiding the team to the playoffs in 2019 and finishing as runners-up in 2020. Their reunion at Punjab Kings appears to be bearing fruit once again.
Ponting spoke about the cultural overhaul he’s driven within the squad, emphasizing unity and shared purpose. “When I first took the job, the one thing I told the owners was — things are going to be different. But saying that is one thing, getting the players to buy in is another. I can share ideas, create a culture, but we all have to be in it together,” said Ponting.
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He highlighted the team’s newfound energy and focus. “It feels like the boys have bought into that, and they’re enjoying themselves. You see it around the team hotel and in the team room — there’s a lot of fun and energy. But we need to stay focused. There’s still a lot more to accomplish as a team,” he added.
Punjab Kings are set to face Royal Challengers Bengaluru in Qualifier 1 at their home stadium in Mullanpur on Thursday. A win would secure their place in the IPL final, while a loss will still give them another shot in Qualifier 2 in Ahmedabad on Sunday.
