Crime Today News
While Punjab Kings has seen 17 captains in the last 17 years of Indian Premier League, the Ness Wadia-Preity Zinta-Mohit Burman owned side has reached the final of the tournament only once. The solitary IPL final appearance came in 2014 when Australian George Bailey led the then Kings XI Punjab to their first and only final IPL appearance where they lost against Kolkata Knight Riders. With former Australian captain Rickey Ponting being appointed as Punjab Kings and last year winners Kolkata Knight Riders captain Shreyas Iyer now in Kings Colours, former Punjab Kings (Earlier Kings XI Punjab) captain and coach Adam Gilchrist believes that the duo can steady the ship for the team. The former Australian wicket-keeper also revealed about the ownership group being erratic and how it acted as a ‘handbreak’ in the team’s progress.
“I think the combination of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer will inspire that franchise. They have worked well together previously and that’s going to be the cohesive gel to bring their ownership together. There’s still the same ownership when I was the captain of that particular franchise and it was somewhat erratic at times and that might be the handbrake for them for a long while. But I think Ricky will settle the ship,” said Gilchrist on the Youtube show Club Prairie Fire.
30-year-old Shreyas Iyer was bought by Punjab Kings for Rs 2675 crore in the IPL mega auction last year. Iyer had led Kolkata Knight Riders to their third IPL title last year. The Indian middle-order batsman had scored 351 runs in last IPL season and Gilchrist counts Iyer as his pick for the Orange Cap this year. Iyer’s best season in IPL was in 2020 when he scored 519 runs playing for Delhi Capitals. “Shreyas Iyer is going to be my Orange Cap wearer by the end of it. He is going to bat at number three. He has been talking about it and he is shifting up the order and taking on the leadership role for them,” said Gilchrist.
Earlier this week, Iyer had spoken about him mobbing up at number three for Punjab Kings in IPL. “We already know that IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And If I would want to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be number 3. And that’s what I’m focusing on. I wouldn’t say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting. This time I’m quite clear about that position. And I’m going to be focusing on that number. As long as the coach approves of me,” Iyer had told the media at Mohali earlier this week.
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