Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the new head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS). The news comes after Ponting ended his seven-year stint with Delhi Capitals (DC). His appointment could prove crucial ahead of the next season of the IPL.
Along with Ponting’s appointment, questions also arise over the role of other coaches of Punjab Kings. The roles of previous head coach Trevor Bayliss, head of cricket development Sanjay Bangar and other coaches are still unclear. It will be interesting to see whether Ponting brings in new faces in his team or retains the old faces.
IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting’s experience
Ponting’s cricketing career has been nothing short of spectacular. He has led Australia to two World Cups and is known for his experience. During his stint with Delhi Capitals, he led the team to the final of the IPL for the first time in 2020.
However, he failed to win the title. Now their new challenge is with Punjab Kings, who have failed to make the playoffs for the past several years.
Punjab Kings have changed many players and coaches in the last few years, but they have failed to burn the flags of success. Ponting’s appointment could bring a new twist. His tactics and experience might just take Punjab Kings in the direction it has been looking for years.
However, the challenge for Ponting will be to instill confidence in his players and unite them to form a strong team.
Situation of Punjab in IPL
Punjab Kings’ performance in the IPL has always been controversial. They have changed head coaches in six of the last seven seasons. Ponting’s appointment is being seen as a ray of hope that he might lead Punjab Kings to the playoffs this time.
The last time they made it to the playoffs was in 2014, when they reached the final but lost to Kolkata Knight Riders.
After the retirement of Shikhar Dhawan from international cricket and IPL, Punjab Kings need a new captain. It is also being speculated whether they will rely on England all-rounder Sam Curran, who led the side in Dhawan’s absence.
The team’s performance under Sam Curran’s captaincy was also average last season, where they won five out of just 14 matches.
At the moment, the Punjab Kings management believes that Ponting’s experience and leadership will add strength to the team. Ahead of the next mega auction, several changes are expected to take place in their team.
With new strategies, Ponting will have to strive to build a strong and competitive team, so that they can make a comeback in the playoffs.
