India, April 16 -- Last year at Eden Gardens, Shreyas Iyer looked hapless as Punjab Kings mounted the highest run-chase in IPL history, hunting down Kolkata Knight Riders' 261 for six with ridiculous ease.

Riding on Jonny Bairstow's blazing unbeaten 108 , the Kings surged home by eight wickets, a monumental accomplishment that would have broken KKR hearts and spirits. It is to Iyer's great credit that he managed to rally his troops around and take them to a third IPL title, a decade after their second triumph in 2014 under Gautam Gambhir.

Iyer's decision to part ways with KKR in the closed season meant he would have the opportunity to marshall another bunch of players at a different franchise. Once Punjab brought Ricky Ponting on board ...