The preparation of the IPL 2025 is in full flow as we are seeing continuous developments in the franchises. Some of the franchises have changed their head coach, support staff, management, etc before the mega auction. In this revamp chain from the franchises, Punjab Kings (PBKS) has also joined and made one of the big decisions, and hoping for a change in luck. They are about to sign former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as their new head coach. The official confirmation has been done by the franchise. He will replace his countryman Trevor Bayliss for the role.
Table of Contents
Ricky Ponting set to join Punjab Kings in IPL 2025
The Australian legend Ricky Ponting is set to join the Punjab Kings franchise as a new head coach. It will be a multi-year contract for him, probably for 4 years. He will replace his countryman Trevor Bayliss for the head coach role. Bayliss joined PBKS in 2023 and coached the team for two seasons (2023-24). In those two years, Punjab Kings finished at No. 8 and 9 respectively.
Now, the franchise is investing in Ricky Ponting and hoping for a change in luck as well. PBKS haven’t won a single IPL trophy yet and they would hope that Ponting’s experience will turn things in their favor.
The franchise has already done an official confirmation regarding the appointment of Ricky Ponting as head coach.
Ponting parted ways with DC a few months ago
Ricky Ponting, before joining PBKS, was with the Delhi Capitals (DC) franchise. He joined DC in 2018 and coached the team for 7 years. About two months ago, he parted ways with the franchise. In those 7 years, DC reached the top 4 in 2019, 2020, and 2021. They also played the final of IPL 2020 (their first-ever), but lost to Mumbai Indians (MI) who won their 5th IPL (Indian Premier League) title.
Ricky Ponting also coached MI in the IPL
The Australian legend has also coached the Punjab Kings MI franchise for three years. He became the MI coach in 2014 and left the job in 2016. In this period, he helped the team to win their 2nd IPL title, in 2015. MI defeated Chennai Super Kings (CSK) in the IPL 2015 final.
Ponting’s other assignments as coach
Other than the IPL Punjab Kings , he has played the coaching role for other teams as well ( in international and franchise cricket). He became the interim coach of Australia’s T20I team against Sri Lanka (SL) in 2017. Ponting became an assistant coach for the Australian cricket team for the 2017–18 Trans-Tasman Tri-Series.
As far as franchise cricket, Washington Freedom, a team in the Major Cricket League (MLC) signed Ponting as their head coach in February 2024, for two years. He won the title as a coach in their first-ever coaching assignment with Washington Freedom. The franchise won the MCL 2024 under the leadership of Steve Smith.
PBKS CEO expressed his happiness after Ponting’s assignment
The Punjab Kings franchise CEO Satish Menon is thrilled with the appointment of Ricky Ponting as a new head coach. He believes that the Aussie legend’s international coaching stints and as a cricket expert in broadcasting will help the team. Menon also thinks Ponting can develop cricketing and leadership skills in an individual which will help in the team’s success.
Ponting expressed his pleasure in becoming PBKS head coach
Ricky Ponting felt grateful and expressed his pleasure in becoming the new head coach of Punjab Kings. He appreciates PBKS for giving him this opportunity and looking to start things quickly. Ponting also said he had a conversation with the owners and the management regarding the team’s vision.
Adding to that, an Aussie said they would love to repay the fans who have supported the franchise for so long. He promised that the fans would see a different Punjab Kings going forward.
Ponting-Smith reunion on the cards?
After Ponting became Punjab’s head coach, a few rumors are spreading on social media about the reunion of Steve Smith and him. Both are from the same country and were with the Washington Freedom franchise in the MCL 2024. The franchise won the title in the captaincy of Steve Smith and Ricky Ponting was the coach of the team.
If we look at it, this could be a good move. The franchise is looking for a new captain with Shikhar Dhawan not getting any younger. They haven’t had a stable captain for the last few years. Steve Smith has loads of experience in captaincy for Australia and different franchises in the various T20 leagues.
Also, PBKS doesn’t have a stable top order for batting. They have tried different players in the top order but couldn’t find stability. Steve Smith can play in the top order and knows how to build an inning before charging in the end.
Although no official words have come from anyone on this, it might be good for PBKS.
So this is the latest update coming in from the Punjab Kings franchise. Ricky Ponting will coach the team from the IPL 2025 season. They would hope that it helps them to turn their fortunes. They are still waiting for their first-ever IPL title.
BCB Announced T20 World Cup Bangladesh Women’s Squad For the ICC 2024
FAQs:-
(1) How many runs Ricky Ponting has scored in the IPL?
The Aussie legend has only played 10 games in the IPL and scored 91 runs. He averages 10.11 and has a strike rate of 71.09 with the highest score of 28.
(2) Who was the coach of PBKS before Trevor Bayliss?
Anil Kumble coached the Punjab-based franchise for three years; from 2020-22.
(3) What was the best season of IPL for PBKS?
PBKS has only played one final of the IPL in 2014. He lost to Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) in the IPL 2014 final. Other than that, they only reached the playoffs once, in 2008.
(4) How many ICC trophies Ricky Ponting has won as captain?
The Australian has won the ICC ODI WC in 2003 and 2007 as captain of Australia. He also won the 2006 and 2009 ICC Champions Trophy as captain. Ponting was a part of the 1999 WC-winning Australian team.
