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IIE DIGITAL DESK : The season filled with stunning turnarounds and emotional comebacks, Punjab Kings' 2025 IPL journey emerged as one of the most gripping narratives—driven by the strategic brilliance of head coach Ricky Ponting and the composure and class of skipper Shreyas Iyer. Together, the duo managed to transform the fortunes of a franchise often considered underachievers, taking them closer to the elusive title than ever before.

After years of fluctuating performances and mid-table mediocrity, the 2025 edition witnessed a transformed Punjab Kings unit—sharp, consistent, and quietly confident. At the heart of this shift was Ricky Ponting’s structured leadership in the dugout and Shreyas Iyer’s calm presence on the field. The synergy between the two was unmistakable. Ponting’s tactical nous, honed over years of playing and coaching at the highest level, found a perfect conduit in Iyer, whose batting and captaincy matured significantly during the tournament.

Although Punjab Kings fell agonizingly short of reaching the final—losing a tense Qualifier 2 clash by a narrow margin—the campaign was anything but a failure. It marked the team’s first appearance in the playoffs since 2014, and their second-best finish in IPL history. Along the way, they toppled heavyweights like Mumbai Indians and Chennai Super Kings, with Iyer leading from the front and youngsters like Prabhsimran Singh, Arshdeep Singh, and Liam Livingstone delivering consistent performances under pressure.

Ponting, who took over as head coach at the start of the season, brought in a winning mindset that was clearly missing in previous years. Known for his disciplined approach and clarity in planning, the Australian legend reshaped the team’s outlook. He emphasized process over panic, trust over chopping and changing. Importantly, he gave players the freedom to express themselves, which proved vital in key match situations.

Shreyas Iyer, whose own comeback story after injury setbacks has been widely admired, added the vital ingredient of calm aggression to the Punjab Kings’ mix. He finished the season among the top 10 run-getters, combining flair with responsibility. His half-century in the must-win game against Lucknow Super Giants and his tactical field placements throughout the season were hailed by analysts as game-changing moves.

One of the biggest successes of the season was how Punjab’s team identity evolved. Long gone were the days when the franchise relied on sporadic individual brilliance. Under Ponting and Iyer, they became a cohesive unit with a strong core. The development of Arshdeep Singh as a death-over specialist, Rahul Chahar’s resurgence in the middle overs, and Jonny Bairstow’s explosive starts gave the team a balanced look for the first time in years.

Despite the heartbreak of not making it to the final, the mood within the Punjab Kings camp remains upbeat. “We may not have a trophy, but we’ve won respect,” said Iyer in the post-match presentation after their exit. “This is just the beginning. We’ve built something this season—something that’s here to stay.”

Ponting echoed a similar sentiment, praising the squad's effort and hinting at even better seasons ahead. “What we’ve created here is a foundation. With a few tweaks and continued belief, this team can lift the trophy very soon,” he said.

As the curtains fall on IPL 2025, the story of Punjab Kings is no longer about what they could have been, but what they are becoming. With a solid leadership core, exciting young talent, and the promise of continuity, the Kings are no longer underdogs—they’re contenders. And with Iyer and Ponting at the helm, it’s clear that the best is yet to come.