IPL 2025: ‘We are going to become the greatest Punjab Kings team,’ says head coach Ponting

Punjab Kings new head coach Ricky Ponting said he is determined to make the team the greatest in the franchise’s history ahead of the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

“The overall vision for this team is to win the IPL. I told the guys on the very first day when I joined the camp in Dharamshala that we were going to create and become the greatest Punjab Kings team that’s played. That’s the journey that we’re on and that doesn’t happen overnight. You’ve got to create that,” Ponting said during a meta-creators event organised at New PCA stadium in New Chandigarh on Saturday.

The former Australia captain also backed the Indian youngsters in the team. “Priyansh Arya, I think is a very special potential opening batsman for us going forward in the tournament. Depending on which way we go with our overseas make-up, he’s very exciting. Suryansh Shedge is also someone who has been very impressive in our training so far. When I talk about energy and fun, another player that I am impressed with, is Musheer Khan. He’s brought a lot to the group already. He has got an infectious attitude, and around the training ground and around the team so far, he’s been someone that I’ve really enjoyed working with,” he said.

Ponting also revealed that he banked on the experienced overseas players to set the right example for young Indian talent.

“I put a lot of the bait on them to ensure that they’re setting the right example. Because a lot of the young domestic Indian players look up to the overseas boys and if the overseas boys aren’t doing the right thing, then it’s easy for the young Indian guys to not do the right thing either. So, I empower the overseas guys to be the leaders and lead the way,” he added.

Punjab Kings, which hasn’t made it to the playoffs since reaching the final in 2014, opens its IPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on Tuesday.

The team finished ninth in the standings last year and will look to turn its fortures around under the new captain-coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ponting.