Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) starting from IPL 2025, marking a new chapter in his coaching career following his departure from Delhi Capitals. Ponting, who signed a four-year contract with the franchise, is expected to have the final say on the remainder of the coaching staff. The status of last year's coaches, including Trevor Bayliss, Sanjay Bangar, Charl Langeveldt, and Sunil Joshi, remains uncertain.
Ponting expressed gratitude for the opportunity and excitement about the direction the franchise aims to take. He emphasised the importance of reconnecting with the fans and vowed to bring a "much different" Punjab Kings in the future.
Historically, Punjab Kings have struggled, finishing ninth in the 2024 season and failing to qualify for the IPL playoffs since 2014. One of Ponting's initial tasks will be to evaluate players eligible for retention ahead of the upcoming season. Key players from the previous season include Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, and Rahul Chahar, along with several notable international players like Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.
With veteran player Shikhar Dhawan having recently retired, the franchise is also seeking to appoint a new captain. Ponting brings considerable IPL experience to his role, having been involved in the league since its inception in 2008, both as a player and as a coach for multiple franchises. His recent success includes leading Washington Freedom to victory in the 2024 Major League Cricket season. As he embarks on this journey with Punjab Kings, the franchise hopes to revitalise their competitive edge in the league.