IPL 2025: Shreyas Iyer skips Punjab Kings training camp in Dharamsala days ahead of first match

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Punjab Kings' IPL 2025 preparations are in full swing, but one notable absentee from their Dharamsala training camp is skipper Shreyas Iyer.

The franchise kicked off its pre-season drills at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) Stadium on March 12, but Iyer, fresh off India's Champions Trophy triumph, has opted to join the squad later in Mullanpur.

The Dharamsala camp, running until March 15, is a crucial part of Punjab Kings' preparations as they look to fine-tune their strategies under the watchful eyes of head coach Ricky Ponting. Several key Indian players, including Prabhsimran Singh, Shashank Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal, have reported for the session.

The team management, led by Ponting, assistant coach Brad Haddin, and fast-bowling coach James Hopes, aims to help players acclimate to the conditions at HPCA, which will host three crucial games for PBKS later in the season.

Explaining the rationale behind choosing Dharamsala as their preparatory base, Ponting emphasized the importance of familiarizing players with the venue. "A lot of our squad members haven't played at this ground, and since we have three matches here towards the end of the league stage, we felt it was vital to get a feel of the conditions," he said.

The team will subsequently shift to Chandigarh for additional training before settling in Mullanpur for the final phase of their pre-season buildup. Iyer, alongside pacer Arshdeep Singh, is expected to link up with the squad in Mullanpur on March 16.

Both players were part of India's victorious Champions Trophy squad in Dubai, and their delayed arrival is likely a result of workload management following their international commitments. Their presence at PBKS' new PCA Stadium will mark the final phase of Punjab Kings' training, where they will be joined by marquee international players such as Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, and Lockie Ferguson.

Punjab Kings have been meticulous in their preparation, organizing multiple training camps earlier in the year, including sessions in Mumbai and Chandigarh. With their IPL 2025 opener against Gujarat Titans scheduled for March 25 at the Narendra Modi Stadium, the franchise will be hoping their structured pre-season approach pays dividends as they aim for a strong start to their campaign.