Shreyas Iyer aims to establish himself at No. 3 in IPL 2025

Shreyas Iyer Aims to Cement No. 3 Spot in IPL 2025

Newly appointed Punjab Kings captain Shreyas Iyer has expressed his desire to establish himself at No. 3 during IPL 2025. Iyer, who played a crucial role for India at No. 4 in their unbeaten Champions Trophy campaign, previously batted in the same position while leading Kolkata Knight Riders to the IPL 2024 title. However, he occasionally shifted down the order to accommodate team needs.

"We all know the IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. If I were to mark myself at a position in T20, it would be No. 3," Iyer stated at a press conference. "That’s what I am focusing on. While we haven’t had discussions about specific batting positions, this time I’m quite clear about my role, provided the coach approves."

Reuniting with Ponting at Punjab Kings

Iyer will reunite with head coach Ricky Ponting, with whom he previously found success at Delhi Capitals, leading them to the playoffs from 2019 to 2021, including a runner-up finish in 2020. Punjab Kings made a significant investment in Iyer, securing him for INR 26.75 crore (USD 3.18 million approx), making him the second-most expensive player in IPL auction history.

Ponting was eager to work with Iyer again, highlighting his leadership and playing ability. "If you look back at the auction, it was pretty clear who I wanted as my captain," Ponting said. "We got exactly what we wanted. I was desperate to work with Shreyas again. He’s one of the best players I’ve coached and a great human being. He’s an IPL-winning captain—what more could we ask for?"

Turning PBKS into a Winning Side

Punjab Kings had a disappointing IPL 2024, winning just one of their seven home matches across Mullanpur and Dharamsala and finishing second from bottom. Ponting is determined to change that trend and make home advantage count.

"If you're not winning at home, you're not winning the IPL," Ponting emphasized. "That’s one of the main reasons I took this role—I wanted a strong coaching challenge. But there’s no pressure on us; we’ve got nothing to lose. We’re going to play a dynamic, entertaining brand of cricket, and I know we have the players to do that."

With Iyer determined to solidify his No. 3 spot and Ponting keen to turn PBKS into a formidable unit, the franchise will be looking for a much-improved campaign in IPL 2025.

Catch the match live updates, highlights, and full match coverage on CricRadio. Get fast, accurate, and ad-free updates throughout the game. Download the CricRadio app from the Play Store to stay connected. You can also get the live scores of cricket series directly on the CricRadio website for real-time coverage.