Last Updated on March 23, 2025 by Mrunal & Jiten
In an exciting announcement at the New PCA stadium in New Chandigarh, Ricky Ponting, the newly appointed head coach of Punjab Kings, has expressed an ambitious vision for the team, aiming to make it the greatest in the franchise’s history as the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season approaches.
“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 declared during a recent meta-creators event held on March 22, 2025.
As the IPL season kick-off draws near, excitement is building around the Punjab Kings, who, under the new captain-coach duo of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, hope to turn around years of disappointing performances. The team has not qualified for the playoffs since 2014 and found themselves languishing in ninth place last season. They will open their 2025 campaign against the formidable Gujarat Titans in Ahmedabad on March 25.
Ponting is actively investing his faith in young Indian talents on the squad, such as Priyansh Arya, Suryansh Shedge, and the energetic Musheer Khan. He noted, “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… Musheer Khan has brought a lot to the group already. He’s 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.”
Moreover, the former Australian captain emphasized the importance of leadership among senior international players. “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,” Ponting explained.
This strategic perspective aligns with Iyer’s ambitions as he returns to a leadership role after leading the Kolkata Knight Riders to the title in 2024. The captain believes he can re-establish himself in the IPL and potentially rekindle his international T20 career through a successful season at Punjab Kings. “I wouldn’t say that we are planning and thinking about what number I will be batting. This time, I’m quite clear about that position. And I’m going to be focusing on that number. As long as coach approves of me,” Iyer emphasized during a media interaction alongside Ponting.
The impact of Ponting’s coaching on Iyer is evident, as they previously worked together at Delhi Capitals. “I’ve worked with him for almost three years in a franchise. And I know how he thinks about every individual on and off the field. He supports everyone,” Iyer shared. He expressed enthusiasm about their partnership, stating, “The importance is to win the trophy. There is no pressure (of Punjab having never won the IPL). It is an opportunity.”
Ponting mirrored Iyer’s sentiment regarding the goal of this season: securing the IPL trophy. He said, “What I understand is that if you are not winning at home, you are not winning the IPL. It’s one of the main reasons that I’m sitting here now. I wanted a really strong coaching challenge. And we’ve got that. But there’s no pressure on us. What have we got to lose? We’re going to go out and play a really dynamic and entertaining brand of cricket. And I know we’ve got the players that can do that.”
These comments underscore the challenges and opportunities faced by Punjab Kings this season. With an updated roster, including retained players like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and new signings such as Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, the team aims to revitalize their standings in the league.
The broader IPL landscape in 2025 boasts numerous leadership changes across franchises, showcasing a blend of old and new talents. Shreyas Iyer’s appointment is among the most anticipated, following an impressive season at KKR, where he showcased his capability as a leader. He joins other teams with new captains, such as Ruturaj Gaikwad leading Chennai Super Kings and Pat Cummins taking over at Sunrisers Hyderabad.
The IPL 2025 season promises high-stakes drama, and many eyes are now on Punjab Kings as they strive to move from mediocrity to contention. With Ponting’s coaching expertise and Iyer’s leadership, there is renewed hope that this could finally be the year the franchise writes a new chapter in its history, potentially breaking its long-standing playoff drought.
The upcoming clash against Gujarat Titans will test their resolve right out of the gate, but with a focused mindset rooted in the ambition to win, fans can expect a competitive showing from the Punjab Kings. As they prepare for the dual challenges of this iconic league, the key themes of growth and resilience are set to resonate throughout the season.
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