Shreyas Iyer to bat third for Punjab Kings

Shreyas Iyer has announced that he will bat at number three for the Punjab Kings in the IPL 2025 season. He aims to secure his position on the Indian cricket team through this decision. Coach Ricky Ponting is supportive of Iyer's goal. In the previous IPL season, Iyer did not have a fixed batting position with the Kolkata Knight Riders. He played in various positions, often batting at four, five, or six. This made it challenging for him to settle into his role. Iyer expressed that he wants to focus on batting at number three, which he believes is important for T20 cricket. Iyer mentioned that the IPL is crucial for Indian cricket and emphasized his desire to solidify his spot at number three. He is determined and clear about where he wants to play. Currently, he is out of contract with the BCCI and has not played a T20I for India since December 2023. However, he remains a significant part of the ODI team. By aiming for the number three position, Iyer will face competition from Tilak Varma, who also wants to bat in that spot. Iyer spoke highly of his relationship with coach Ricky Ponting, noting that they share similar principles and approaches to the game. He appreciates the confidence Ponting instills in his players and believes it helps them excel.