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Australia’s two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain and former Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting has been roped in by Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the same role. Ponting who parted ways with DC just over two months ago after seven-year association will take over the reigns at PBKS ahead of the retentions and the mega auction.
Ponting has signed a four-year contract with the Punjab-based franchise. There is still not clarity over who will retain their respective role from the previous coaching staff. Apart from head coach Trevor Bayliss, Sanjay Bangar head of cricket development), Charl Langveldt (fast-bowling coach), Sunil Joshi (spin-bowling coach) were part of the coaching unit.
"I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new Head Coach. I am excited to take up the new challenge. I had great conversations with the owners and the management about the way forward and was truly elated to see the alignment of our visions for the team. We all want to repay the fans who have stayed with the franchise over the years and we promise that they will see a much different Punjab Kings going forward," Ponting said in a statement.
The musical chairs in Punjab franchise continues. Ponting is their sixth head coach in seven seasons. They have acquired his services in order to break the jinx of not qualifying for the playoffs. The last time they advanced to the last four was in IPL 2014 where they qualified for the final and lost to Gautam Gambhir-led Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
PBKS’ long absence from playoffs
Under Ponting, DC reached their first ever final under the leadership of Shreyas Iyer in 2020. But he could not guide them to their maiden IPL title. Like DC, PBKS have not won a trophy either despite being a part of the cash-rich league since the inaugural season.
New captain for PBKS?
Since Shikhar Dhawan has announced his retirement from international cricket and the IPL, PBKS will search for a new captain. It will be interesting to see if they put their faith in England all-rounder Sam Curran who led the team in an injured Dhawan’s absence in the previous edition.
With just five wins from 14 games, PBKS finished ninth on the points table, just above five-time IPL champion Mumbai Indians (MI).
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