Chandigarh (Punjab), India, April 7 (ANI): The New Zealand and Punjab Kings fast bowler, Lockie Ferguson , has shared his views on the continuing Indian Premier League ( IPL ) 2025, with special recognition for the leadership of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer Ferguson highlighted that the supportive and tightly knit atmosphere fostered by the leadership has greatly influenced the team's achievements and their self-assurance during games.

Thinking about the leadership interactions within Punjab Kings , Ferguson conveyed his gratitude for the contribution made by Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer He emphasized that right from the beginning, the team experienced a sense of welcome and motivation under their leadership.

Ferguson mentioned to ANI that the performances have been solid, attributing much of this success to the guidance provided by leaders Ricky and Shreyas.

"From the first day onwards, you really felt like an integral member of the team. Everyone was extremely upbeat, relishing their cricket, yet equally fond of spending time together outside of the game," he mentioned additionally.

Ferguson thinks that the achievement of a franchised team frequently hinges on how swiftly the players come together as a unit, and he senses that this sense of unity among teammates has reflected in their play during matches.

"In franchise tournaments, in my experience, when a team gels together quickly, it often transfers onto the field," he explained.

He proceeded to commend the collaboration between head coach Ponting and captain Iyer, highlighting their alignment in game tactics and communication.

Ferguson noted that you can observe how effectively they collaborate and how closely their tactics align with player communications. He believes this harmony provides significant clarity regarding our playing style, which is a major advantage.

Shreyas Iyer ' s guidance has stood out remarkably for Ferguson, notably in handling the bowlers.

Ferguson stated, "He has undoubtedly achieved considerable success as a captain, and I believe this isn’t just luck by any stretch."

Ferguson stated that a captain's capability to manage high-pressure scenarios and lead bowlers determines their level of effectiveness.

"I have pondered over previous captains and my own experiences leading from time to time. The discussions held with bowlers during tense moments essentially shape a captain’s character and demonstrate how their leadership influences others," he mentioned.

Ferguson highlighted that Iyer has excelled at supporting the bowlers' strategies and offering them clear guidance during crucial times.

"Ferguson mentioned that Shreyas has been excellent. He fully supports the plan each time. During critical moments in the match, he raises pertinent questions that make the bowlers ponder," she stated.

He observed that the interaction with the bowling section has been outstanding, providing the bowlers with the assurance they need to excel.

“I’ve had conversations with the other bowlers, and everybody has expressed their satisfaction with both the communication and the strategies in place. This makes me feel quite confident about giving my best performance,” he said. “I believe he understands, like all participants do in this contest, that some days will be better than others. It’s crucial to see how one recovers after those less successful days. He leads by example when it comes to bouncing back strongly, particularly considering his effective communication within the bowling lineup.”

Ferguson likewise had many positive things to say about the Punjab Kings The fast-bowling unit comprises Marco Jansen, Arshdeep Singh, and the all-rounder Marcus Stoinis. Ferguson emphasized Jansen’s significant development as a bowler and his capability to deliver under pressure.

"I believe I've worked alongside some of these fellows previously; I’ve bowled with Marco before as well. Facing someone so tall yet maintaining remarkable balance makes for a tough opponent anywhere around the globe,” stated Ferguson, who mentioned that he has been closely monitoring Jansen’s progress in recent years.

"I have been closely following this cricketer for the past several years, and it’s remarkable to witness his development as a bowler. His skillset is exceptional, and under pressure, you can observe him actively seeking out the ball and rising to the occasion. Although I haven’t discussed his batting yet, it has also improved significantly. He has scored runs across various locations worldwide representing South Africa and excelled in the league too. This represents a significant advantage for our team," he pointed out.

He similarly commended Arshdeep Singh's eagerness to get involved with the play and his strong work ethic.

“I’m genuinely thrilled to be part of this team and observe how Arshdeep approaches his training sessions and match preparations. In my opinion, every year it feels like I face off against him,” Ferguson stated, highlighting his reputation as an extremely diligent worker during practice.

Ferguson went on to say, 'He’s nothing short of a magician,' thereby reinforcing his deep appreciation for Arshdeep's talent.

Ferguson commented, 'Once more, he shows an intense hunger for the ball during challenging times, and I believe this trait is vital for any successful bowling strategy.'

Regarding Marcus Stoinis, Ferguson pointed out his composed demeanor as well as his valuable contributions with both bat and ball.

"He has achieved tremendous success and possesses a very composed demeanor. Therefore, he makes an excellent addition to our team," he stated.

"He clearly stands out as an exceptional batsman, yet he provides us with four bowling overs whenever needed, seven days a week," he pointed out.

Regarding his international endeavors, Ferguson looked back upon New Zealand 's steady performances in ICC events, recognizing the effective leadership and robust team ethos that have fueled their achievements.

"We may be quite modest as a group of cricket players, yet when we step over the boundary, we compete fiercely," Ferguson clarified.

He attributed the guidance to players such as Trent Boult , Tim Southee , and Kane Williamson For contributing to the molding of his own career and those of numerous others.

So, as far as I'm concerned, we've had many outstanding leaders in our team who motivated players to unlock their full potential, including myself undoubtedly. Joining a unit and picking up knowledge from, well, these individuals has been quite beneficial. Trent Boult , Tim Southee ," he said.

Ferguson mentioned that having Kane as his captain has significantly propelled his career forward, offering him the chance to develop and strive to learn at an accelerated pace.

"Therefore, I felt let down at not having the opportunity to participate in the Champions Trophy "With an unfortunate injury, but that comes with the territory," he added.

Ferguson likewise addressed the emerging young talents on the horizon. New Zealand Cricket, featuring Rachin Ravindra and Will O'Rourke , whom he thinks will have a substantial influence in the future.

We have Rachin performing nicely over here. Will O'Rourke "is destined to become an exceptional bowler. The potential he possesses is remarkably vast," Ferguson commented.

He likewise showed enthusiasm for the comeback. Kyle Jamieson , a player whom Ferguson shares a strong connection with, highlighting his great potential and skill.

"Nice to see Kyle Jamieson , one of my close friends, has returned to playing for New Zealand And we're all aware of his remarkable talent and destructive capabilities as a bowler. So indeed, from a New Zealand From this perspective, it's quite an advantageous position to be in. You understand, I am still very keen on playing for New Zealand As much as I do enjoy spending time again with that group. Definitely, meeting up with the guys during tours is great too. Hopefully, they will maintain their current form as a team and continue performing at a higher level than expected,” he stated.

Ferguson has had the privilege of playing both for his franchise and national team over multiple years. He highlighted the distinct challenges and thrill associated with becoming part of different squads.

"I feel quite lucky to have been involved with this for several years now. Therefore, joining a new franchise isn’t entirely unfamiliar territory for me," Ferguson stated.

He further noted, 'The longer you play, the more likely you are to have encountered some of your current teammates in previous teams.'

He pointed out that becoming part of a new franchise invariably comes with a feeling of unease, as athletes strive to demonstrate their worth during the initial matches.

"I believe, indeed, that from my perspective, showing up consistently and contributing as much value as possible both during and outside matches should be prioritized. It’s important to embrace the team's values and mindset; however, this situation is quite thrilling and demanding. From where I stand, it constantly motivates me to push myself further to improve since playing regularly within one team often means facing slightly lower pressure over time due to familiarity. However, joining a new squad brings initial nerves, particularly in those early games when proving oneself becomes crucial to becoming an integral part of the group,” explained Ferguson.

Nevertheless, Ferguson conveyed his enthusiasm for being part of the new project. Punjab Kings , characterizing it as an excellent setting with a collaborative team spirit.

I have been extremely fortunate to be part of the franchises I've joined. Punjab Kings "It has not been different," he stated.

"Thus, it’s a great team to join, and of course, we still have a lot of ground to cover as a unit," he remarked.

Ferguson anticipates the upcoming challenges, recognizing that franchise cricket involves many highs and lows. However, he is enthusiastic about observing the team’s development throughout the competition. (ANI)