First playoffs in 11 years; led by captain Iyer and coach Ponting, a wholesome team revival.
Iyer was on the money with 514 runs (avg 51.40, SR 171.90), with 5 fifties and in second in the top two.
Iyer’s 97 not out off 42 against GT in a 243/5 total was a match-winning one and helped PBKS to an 11-run victory.
PBKS defended the lowest total ever defended in IPL history [111] against KKR, and won the match by 16 runs.
Priyansh Arya — he made 362 runs and his fearless 62 vs MI made him the tournament’s rising star.
Chahal bagged a hat-trick vs CSK (4/32) and changed the game against KKR with a match-turning 4/28.
PBKS defeated MI by 7 wickets; Inglis (73) and Arya (62) added 109 runs for a commendable finish.
Iyer is the first to captain three IPL teams to the playoffs, and the first to score 2500 runs as an IPL captain.
Ponting supported Iyer, created a positive culture, and maintained focus by stating the job was only “half done”.
Shashank (284), Prabhsimran (486), Arshdeep (18 wkts), and Jansen (16 wkt) all contributed.
PBKS ended as group topper with 9 wins, 4 losses, 1 NR — 19 points — to make the cut for Qualifier 1.
Ended 11-year drought; kicked off fans’ frenzy, and Preity Zinta’s antics illuminated the social space.