Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. This move comes after Ponting’s departure from Delhi Capitals (DC) in July 2024, where he served as head coach for seven years.
Ponting has signed a multi-year contract with PBKS, a franchise that has struggled to find success in recent seasons. He will be the sixth head coach in seven seasons for Punjab, who finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season.
Ponting’s immediate task will be to identify players to retain for the upcoming season, as the IPL is yet to finalize retention rules. Key performers for Punjab last season included Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The franchise also boasts a strong squad with Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas stars Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Johnny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.
With Shikhar Dhawan recently retiring, Punjab will also be looking for a new captain. Ponting’s experience as a successful captain with the Australian national team and Mumbai Indians will be invaluable in this regard.
Ponting has been involved in the IPL since its inception in 2008, first as a player for Kolkata Knight Riders and Mumbai Indians. He stepped down as Mumbai’s captain in 2013, paving the way for Rohit Sharma to take over. Mumbai won the title that year, with Ponting continuing in an advisory role in 2014 and serving as head coach for two seasons in 2015 and 2016.
In 2018, Ponting took charge as head coach of DC, leading them to the playoffs for three consecutive seasons between 2019 and 2021. DC also reached their first IPL final in 2020 under Ponting’s guidance.
Ponting’s appointment as PBKS head coach is a significant move for the franchise, as they look to turn their fortunes around and challenge for the IPL title. His experience, leadership, and tactical acumen will be crucial in helping Punjab achieve their goals.
