![\"IPL](\"https:\/\/static.toiimg.com\/thumb\/msid-130528079,imgsize-58504,width-400,height-225,resizemode-4\/ricky-ponting-in-the-middle-pti-photo.jpg\" "\\"Ricky")
<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\nNEW DELHI: Punjab Kings pulled off a historic run chase against Delhi Capitals, and head coach Ricky Ponting made it clear that skipper Shreyas Iyer was at the heart of the victory. Chasing a massive 265, Punjab showed belief throughout, with Iyer calmly guiding the team home with an unbeaten 71.Ponting didn\u2019t hold back in praising his captain and explained why he had pushed hard to bring Iyer into the team. \u201cHe\u2019s a great person. And that\u2019s the reason that I went as hard as I did in the auction. I knew he was going to be a great leader and for us to rebuild this team and rebuild this franchise,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Watch<\/span><\/p>\n Bombay Sport Exchange: Munaf Patel on Gautam Gambhir, Virat vs Bumrah & Indian bowling.<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n Punjab got off to a flying start thanks to Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya, whose aggressive batting set the tone early in the chase. Their partnership gave the team momentum, and Iyer made sure it didn\u2019t go to waste by staying till the end.Ponting revealed his confidence in Iyer during the chase. \u201cBecause one thing I know is that if he\u2019s in at the end in a run chase, we\u2019re not going to lose too many games. And even tonight, I went out at the 11, 12 over mark. I just grabbed hold of him and said, if you\u2019re in at the end, we\u2019ll win the game. And he did it again,\u201d he added.Ponting also praised the opening pair, saying, \u201cAnd the partnership that he (Prabhsimran) and Priyansh have together is pretty amazing. They complement each other really well. Left hand, right hand. Both hit different parts of the ground.\u201dDespite the record chase, he pointed out areas needing improvement. \u201cIt\u2019s satisfying that you\u2019ve got the highest run chase, but to have the highest run chase, you\u2019ve also got to concede a lot of runs. So we\u2019ve got some work to do with our bowling and our fielding,\u201d he said.He also spoke about mentoring young players like Prabhsimran. \u201cAt the end of the day, I\u2019m a teacher\u2026 Thankfully, he\u2019s listening and getting the job done.\u201d<\/div>\n