“Punjab ki team kaisi banayi hai” - Harbhajan Singh discloses chat with Ricky Ponting ahead of BGT 2024-25 2nd Test
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has divulged his pre-match talk with Australia legend Ricky Ponting regarding IPL. The duo were tasked with presenting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Adelaide Oval ahead of the second Test. The pair have had several battles on and off the field during their playing days, and are still well-connected to the sport.
Despite hailing from Punjab and playing domestic cricket for the state, Harbhajan never represented the Kings XI Punjab or the Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former cricketer once said he would have loved to represent the franchise in the twilight years of his career.
Ricky Ponting, on the other hand, has been appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS). He was present at the 2025 IPL Auction, conducted midway through the first Test, where he marshaled the revamp of the side from scratch. With a purse of INR 110.5 crore after retaining just two uncapped players, PBKS were among the most active franchises on the auction floor.
During the ongoing Test between India and Australia, Harbhajan revealed on air that he asked Ponting about the PBKS rebuild, among other things, in their brief interaction.
"Aaj baat yeh hui ki Punjab ki team kaise banayi hai, maine to yeh pucha. Puraane cheezo ke upar toh baat hui nahi. (Today, I asked him that how is the PBKS team looking? We did not speak about the old days)," Harbhajan said during commentary on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test.
"He (Ponting) said, 'Mate, you're looking fitter than ever.' So, I told him that I am trying to stay fit and step out on the ground again, even though if it is with the mic," Harbhajan added.
Ricky Ponting and Harbhajan Singh are part of the broadcast team for the coverage of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar series.
Ricky Ponting went all out for Shreyas Iyer during the IPL 2025 Auction
The former Australia skipper was let go by the Delhi Capitals (DC) after the 2024 campaign. He was roped in by the Punjab Kings after the franchise let go of Trevor Bayliss.
PBKS dictated the auction with their heavy purse, particularly the marquee sets. They bought back Arshdeep Singh for INR 18 crore with the help of RTM and also roped in Yuzvendra Chahal for the same price. The 2014 finalists broke the bank for Shreyas Iyer, shelling out INR 26.75 crore, to reunite him with Ponting.