Backstabbing to dressing room mentality, all that PBKS’ Shreyas Iyer said ahead of match against RCB in IPL 2025

Punjab Kings (PBKS) skipper Shreyas Iyer opened up with a raw and honest take on his team’s mindset, the leadership of head coach Ricky Ponting, and how the dressing room atmosphere helped PBKS secure a place in Qualifier 1 of IPL 2025.

In a post-match press conference on Monday, the skipper said that early wins helped build momentum and trust within the group, giving credit to the support staff and the players for stepping up in pressure moments throughout the season.

Leadership and Dressing Room Culture

Iyer highlighted Ponting’s management style as key to the team’s success, stating that the coach gave players freedom to express themselves and trusted Iyer’s decisions on the field. This trust, Iyer believes, created a positive and focused environment.

He said maintaining strong relationships inside the team was crucial, especially during tough times. “When things go wrong, it is easy to backstab each other. But we focused on sticking together,” he noted.

Young Stars and Tactical Changes

Iyer praised young opener Priyansh Arya for his fearless 62 off 35 balls against MI, and lauded Josh Inglis for adapting to a new role at the top of the order.

Allowing Inglis to face more deliveries early on, he explained, was a tactical decision that paid off. Inglis scored 73 off 42 balls in that match.

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What Led PBKS to the Playoffs

PBKS confirmed their first playoff berth since 2014 after a commanding seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians. Shreyas Iyer, who joined PBKS after guiding Kolkata Knight Riders to a title last season, has led the team to a strong finish, with 19 points and a better net run rate than RCB.

PBKS and RCB will meet in Qualifier 1 on Thursday, after both teams finished with 19 points. PBKS edged out RCB on net run rate. The winner will head straight to the IPL final on June 3, while the loser will get another shot in Qualifier 2.

RCB, fresh from a record 228-run chase against Lucknow Super Giants, will have only one day to prepare. Meanwhile, PBKS are riding high on confidence and strong bonding within the team.