IPL 2025: PBKS eyes maiden IPL glory, captain Shreyas Iyer shares his vision ahead of Qualifier 1

As the TATA IPL 2025 season enters its final stretch, the Punjab Kings are no longer just participants – they are contenders. With skipper Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting at the helm, the team has embraced a bold new mindset centred around unity, resilience, and a relentless pursuit of their maiden IPL title.

In an exclusive conversation with Star Sports, Iyer spoke candidly about his ambition and emotional connection to the franchise. “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,” he said. “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.”

The hunger to create history is evident in the way Punjab Kings have approached the season. With an aggressive yet calculated brand of cricket, the team has shown a balance of youth and experience, individual brilliance and teamwork, a blend that many attribute to Ponting’s influence.

Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain and one of cricket’s most respected minds, has instilled a fresh ethos in the dressing room. “When I first took the job, the one thing I told the owners was – things are going to be different,” Ponting explained. “But saying that is one thing; getting the players to buy in is another. They're the ones who actually bring change, not me. I can share ideas and create a culture, but we all have to be in it together.”

That culture shift has become visible on and off the field. The atmosphere around the team is light yet focused, a sign of a group that believes in each other and the larger mission. “From our baggage guys to our captain – we’re all on the same page, working toward the same goal,” Ponting continued. “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.”

Still, Ponting is quick to temper the excitement with realism. “We need to keep enjoying it and stay focused. There are still a few weeks left in the tournament. We’ve played good cricket, but we haven’t achieved anything yet. There’s still a lot more to accomplish as a team.”