Ricky Ponting has opened up about his strong working relationship with Shreyas Iyer and how the India batter has responded to recent setbacks, including his omission from the Test side. Speaking to ICC Review, Ponting praised Iyer’s mental resilience and leadership during a standout IPL 2025 season, which has seen him take the Punjab Kings into the final against the Royal Challengers Bengaluru. "I actually was gutted…but he’s accepted that really well and he’s moved on," said Ponting, referring to Iyer being overlooked for India’s Test squad. "He’s just got that real hunger in his eyes to do well every time that he plays for us here and wants to win games of cricket and wants to evolve and develop into the best leader and captain that he can be." Iyer has delivered in style, scoring 603 runs in the IPL this season and also emerging as India's leading run-scorer during the Champions Trophy earlier this year. Ponting believes that form should have earned him a Test recall. "Certain other players that have been picked in that (Test) squad have done it on the back of good first-class cricket and good IPL seasons leading up to that selection and Shreyas has done absolutely everything the same as some of those other players," Ponting noted. He also pointed out how all these had made him hungrier to win the title for PBKS. "So I was disappointed that he didn’t get picked as I actually felt that he would get picked. But he didn’t. And I think that probably makes him a little bit hungrier for us when these playoff games come around." Shreyas Iyer Angry at Shashank After PBKS Beat MI in Qualifier "We work really well together": Ponting on captain-coach bond with Iyer Ponting and Iyer's partnership dates back to their time at Delhi Capitals, where they led the team to consistent playoff appearances and a 2020 final. Their reunion at Punjab Kings has been just as fruitful, with the side now one win away from their maiden IPL title. "I enjoy playing a bit of a role with him as we work really well together," said Ponting. He also mentioned how they talk a lot about the game and the tactics, and how they share a good relationship. "We talk a lot together about the game and tactics and, I think he said last night that he said ‘that I leave it to Ricky to look after the tactical stuff and pick the players, and then he hands it over to me and I go and execute it out on the field’. And that’s the way we’ve worked this year, and it’s been nice to get that sort of working relationship back together again." The combination has paid off brilliantly, with Iyer producing a stunning unbeaten 87 off 41 balls against Mumbai Indians in the qualifier to seal Punjab Kings’ spot in the final, their second ever after finishing runners-up in 2014. Watch: Jasprit Bumrah calms coach Jayawardene minutes before dismissing Washington Sundar As Iyer prepares for a much-anticipated final against RCB, Ponting’s backing and belief could yet again prove to be the driving force behind a potential title triumph for Shreyas Iyer, who is eyeing his back-to-back title.