Ricky Ponting, often termed one of the greatest captains, is now set to be the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) in IPL 2025. Ricky Ponting previously worked with Mumbai Indians (MI) (*2015-16) and Delhi Capitals (DC) (*2018-24). The Aussie legend very well knows the dynamics of IPL, and his experience would be invaluable for PBKS, who haven’t reached the final of the tournament since the IPL 2014 edition.
There has been a lot of buzz for the IPL 2025 Mega Auction which is on 24 & 25 November at Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The dates for the mega auction are due to clash with the 1st Test match of BGT 2024-25 which is on 22nd November at Perth. BCCI’s decision perhaps is a sign that how franchise cricket has the mettle over Indian cricket.
There’s a lot of players in both India & Australia in the auction- Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting was having an interaction with the media and was not all happy with the auction dates. Ricky Ponting pointed out that he & Lucknow Super Giants’ (LSG) head coach Justin Langer thought that the auction would take place in the middle of BGT Tets matches.
“It’s the worst possible case scenario for me and ‘Justin Langer’.We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there’s a lot of players in both teams in the auction,” said Ricky Ponting.
“So I always thought it would’ve been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don’t know why they’ve chosen the dates they have – it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast,” he stated.
“I’m calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we’re going through our auction, we’ll see when I can return. Hopefully I’ll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I’ll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide,” he added.
Stern test for Ricky Ponting
PBKS’ newly appointed head coach Ricky Ponting will have to instill a belief in the camp that they can beat big teams. Recently former batting coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) Kaif had stated that Ponting tries to build a new team & he also said that Australian legend doesn’t want to retain many players. PBKS have retained only Prabhsimran Singh & Shashank Singh ahead of Mega Auction and have a mammoth purse of 110 crores.
Ricky Ponting has penned a 4 year deal with the franchise but only time will tell whether he stays for that much tenure. PBKS’ owners over the last 4 years have changed multiple coaches & management as there’s a bit too much chopping & changing. It won’t be a surprise if we see Steven Smith in PBKS as Ponting in Major League Cricket (MLC) had worked closely with the star batter & also won the tournament.