How Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer Have Transformed Punjab Kings into Genuine IPL Title Contenders

After losing the IPL 2014 final to Kolkata Knight Riders by 3 wickets, the Punjab Kings went through a very difficult phase as for the next 10 years, from 2015 to 2024, the team could not qualify for the playoffs even once as they mostly ended their seasons outside the top 4, which disappointed fans and made them one of the most trolled teams in the league. People started seeing Punjab Kings as underachievers in the IPL, and their poor performances made it hard for fans to stay hopeful each season.

However, IPL 2025 has been a turning point for the franchise. This year, Punjab Kings have looked like a completely different team. Out of the 11 matches played so far, they have won 7, lost only 3, and had 1 match ended with no result due to rain. With 15 points and a net run rate of 0.376, they are now sitting at the second position in the points table and are very close to securing a place in the playoffs. So, what changed for the Punjab Kings? A big reason for their turnaround is the combination of Shreyas Iyer and head coach Ricky Ponting. Iyer’s leadership and Ponting’s experience seem to be working wonders.

Punjab Kings Picking the Right Team in the IPL Auction 2025!

Entering the IPL Auction 2025 with a sum of ₹110.5 crore, Punjab Kings took a bold approach by retaining just two players, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh. This decision raised many eyebrows initially, but it turned out to be a masterstroke as both retained players have delivered match-winning performances throughout the season. Punjab Kings built a completely new squad from scratch, and their auction strategy focused on balance, experience, and potential.

One of their biggest moves was securing Shreyas Iyer for ₹26.75 crore as bringing in one of the most successful captains in the IPL instantly gave the team a strong leader. Alongside him, the Kings also grabbed Arshdeep Singh, arguably the best left-arm pacer in India currently for ₹18 crore, reinforcing their pace attack. Yuzvendra Chahal, the veteran spinner, joined the squad for ₹18 crore, adding experience and control in the middle overs. All-rounders like Marcus Stoinis (₹11 crore), Glenn Maxwell (₹4.2 crore), and Marco Jansen (₹7 crore) brought the much-needed versatility to the lineup.

Nehal Wadhera, picked for ₹4.2 crore, has impressed with his calm batting approach. The team’s surprise package has been Priyansh Arya, bought for ₹3.8 crore, who has delivered solid all-round performances. With overseas options like Josh Inglis, Azmatullah Omarzai, and Lockie Ferguson, Punjab has formed a strong unit. This well-balanced squad of 25 players, including 8 overseas stars, has taken Punjab Kings to the top tier of IPL 2025.

Punjab Kings Performance in the IPL 2025

After buying all the top-notch players in the IPL Auction and creating a perfect squad, Punjab Kings have finally found the right mix of talent and consistency in IPL 2025. Their strong performances so far are thanks to both their powerful batting unit and a reliable bowling attack. Starting with the batting, Shreyas Iyer has been the standout performer. In 11 matches, he has batted in all 11 innings and scored 405 runs at an excellent average of 50.62. His strike rate of 180.80 shows how quickly he has been scoring, which is crucial in T20 cricket. Iyer has hit 4 fifties and stayed not out 3 times, with a top score of 97*. He has also smashed 27 fours and 27 sixes, showing his ability to find boundaries regularly.

Another key player is Prabhsimran Singh, who has been explosive at the top. He has scored 437 runs in 11 innings at a strong average of 39.72 and an impressive strike rate of 170.03. He has four fifties to his name, including a high score of 91. His boundary-hitting has been top class, with 45 fours and 24 sixes. Priyansh Arya, the surprise package, has also delivered big. In 11 innings, he has made 347 runs at an average of 31.54, with a blazing strike rate of 192.77. He scored one century and one fifty, with a top score of 103. He’s also smashed 37 fours and 22 sixes, showing how impactful he has been.

Shashank Singh has been very consistent in the middle-order. Though he has only batted in 9 innings, he remained not out in 5 of them and scored 214 runs. His average stands at a fantastic 53.50 with a strike rate of 142.66, and he has one half-century (top score: 52)*. He’s also hit 15 fours and 9 sixes. Nehal Wadhera has been a steady hand in the middle, scoring 210 runs in 9 innings at an average of 30.00 and a strike rate of 148.93. He has one fifty and has added 17 fours and 13 sixes to the scoreboard.

Now looking at the bowlers, Arshdeep Singh has led the attack with great control and aggression. He has taken 16 wickets in 11 matches with a best of 3/16. His average is an excellent 18.18, and he bowls at an economy of 8.00, with a strike rate of 13.6. Yuzvendra Chahal has been another key bowler, picking up 14 wickets in 11 matches with a best of 4/28. His average is 23.14, economy 9.81, and strike rate 14.1.

Marco Jansen has contributed with 11 wickets from 11 matches, with a best of 3/17. He has an average of 28.90 and an economy of 8.79. Together, this balanced mix of top-performing batsmen and bowlers has made Punjab Kings one of the most dangerous teams in IPL 2025 and are the top contenders of the season.