"Can't wait to put a new team together" - Ricky Ponting reacts to being appointed as Punjab Kings head coach for IPL 2025
Ricky Ponting took to X and shared his excitement after being appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings for the Indian Premier League 2025 season. As per reports, Ponting has signed a four-year contract with the franchise.
Ponting is a highly experienced head coach, having recently ended his seven-year tenure with Delhi Capitals. Under him, the Capitals qualified for the playoffs in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They finished sixth in IPL 2024 with seven wins in 14 appearances, missing out on the playoff spot due to an inferior net run rate.
Moreover, the former Australian captain also served as Mumbai Indians' advisor in 2014 and head coach in the 2015 and 2016 seasons. The Rohit Sharma-led side lifted the trophy in the 2015 season.
Notably, Ponting will be the Kings' sixth head coach in seven years, having previously been led by Virender Sehwag, Brad Hodge, Mike Hesson, Anil Kumble, and Trevor Bayliss.
In his tweet, Ponting gave an indication of a major overhaul in the team's roster ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction. Here's what he posted on Wednesday evening:
"Looking forward to getting started at Punjab Kings. Can't wait to put a new team together and set about winning the IPL."
How did Punjab Kings fare in IPL 2024?
IPL 2024 was the 10th consecutive season when Punjab Kings failed to reach the playoffs. In their last playoffs appearance in IPL 2014, the George Bailey-led side lost to Kolkata Knight Riders in a thrilling final.
The regular captain, Shikhar Dhawan, could only play five games in the 2024 season, before being sidelined due to injury. Sam Curran took over the leadership role for the side, as they finished ninth with only five victories in 14 games. Shashank Singh emerged as the top batter with 354 runs, while Harshal Patel bagged the purple cap with 24 scalps.
Despite mediocre performances, Punjab Kings broke the record for the highest-ever successful chase in T20s. They chased down a mammoth target of 262 against Kolkata Knight Riders, riding on sensational knocks from Jonny Bairstow (108* off 48) and Shashank (68* off 28).