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'He's brought a lot to the group already. He has got an infectious attitude': Ricky Ponting impressed with his 20-year-old's energy

Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has hinted at unleashing three uncapped domestic batters who are yet to make their IPL debuts.

Sports Tak

• Sat • 22 Mar 2025

Punjab Kings' uncapped recruit Musheer Khan and head coach Ricky Ponting.

Highlights:

Priyansh Arya was picked for Rs 3.8 crore. He can open the innings for Punjab Kings.

Ricky Ponting is impressed with Musheer Khan's 'infectious attitude'.

Suryansh Shedge who has a strike rate way over 200 is another batter on Ponting's radar.

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting has been impressed by a few uncapped players who are yet to make their Indian Premier League (IPL) debut. In the IPL 2025 mega auction, PBKS did not just focus on promiment names but domestic players who have proved their mettle at a young game. Ponting believes that the team needs to have a balance of young and experienced campaigners. While he lauded opening batter Priyansh Arya and finisher Suryash Shedge, he was in awe of what Musheer Khan's approach.

“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,” Ponting said at meta-creators event organised at New PCA stadium in New Chandigarh.

“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 added.

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Who are three youngsters Ponting is impressed with

Priyansh who was sensational in Delhi Premier League (DPL) 2024, hitting six sixes in an over, was picked for Rs 3.8 crore. He averages 33.70 with 573 runs from 18 T20s already. The left-handed batter scores at a strike rate of 166.56 and has one century, three fifties. He may open the innings alongside Prabhsimran Singh or Josh Inglis.

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22-year-old Shedge has been lethal down the order and with the ball as well. The Mumbai all-rounder has scored 131 runs from nine innings at an average of 43.66. His strike rate of 251.92 stands out of the lot. Shedge was roped in for his base price of Rs 30 lakh.

Meanwhile, Musheer is yet to showcase his talent in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy. Brother of former PBKS batter Sarfaraz Khan, Musheer has a good record in first-class cricket. From 15 innings, he has scored 716 runs at an average of 51.14. He has three centuries (including one double century) and one fifty. Musheer was picked for his base price of Rs 30 lakh as well.