IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting reveals why he chose Punjab Kings over other teams; details on essentials

Newly-appointed Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting revealed what attracted him to accept their offer despite interests from several teams ahead of IPL 2025. Ponting, who previously coached Delhi Capitals for seven seasons, detailed what he told his new team owners and shared his thoughts on retention plans as the mega auction date nears.

Of all the IPL teams since the inaugural edition, Punjab Kings is among the three franchises (DC and RCB) that are yet to put their hands on the trophy. However, Ponting, who expressed keenness in taking over the job, with the willingness and aim to turn the tables around come next season, revealed plenty needs to be done behind the scenes to ensure PBKS takes home the IPL trophy.

In an exclusive interview with ESPNcricinfo, Ponting revealed why he chose this unit when other, perhaps former winners, unnamed yet, approached him for the head coach role.

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Putting it under ‘Project Punjab’, Punter, as cricket fans call him, revealed the youngsters and the talent pool in PBKS dressing attracted him and that working with them to come on top looked like a challenge, which he willingly accepted.

“Yes, I was talking to a few teams, but it was 'Project Punjab'which attracted me. It is a team that hasn't had a lot of success over a long period of time, a team that's changed coaches a lot, so I saw it as a challenge.

“The other exciting part is that I saw some really exciting youngsters last year at Kings that hopefully we can attract back to the team for this season and put together a team that is going to be good enough to win the IPL.

“I mean, there's no doubting over the years that the Kings have had good players, have had good teams. They just haven't been able to win it yet. I have a longish-term deal there, and hopefully, during that period of time we can win the IPL,” Ponting said.

‘Picking a captain is a priority for me’ – Ponting

Ricky was blunt and honest in his acceptance of informing the owners to interfere less, letting the coaches and the captain take charge of what would happen on the field. Though he openly talked about having accountability and autonomy within the group, Ponting feels picking the right man to lead does half of the job.

When asked about his role in picking a captain at the upcoming mega auction, Ponting said irrespective of whether the player is an Indian or overseas, he needs the right man for the right job.

“With this mega auction coming up, either we have to decide to retain someone in our current group that we think is the best person for the job, or we have to go into the auction looking for the best possible candidate, whether that's an Indian or overseas player.

“And make sure that him and I work together. If the captain and coach are on the same page and work together, that's when the magic happens,” he continued.

The BCCI will formally announce the revised retention rules ahead of the mega auction, and Ponting feels plenty of work needs to be done to have a settled unit at the helm. Although Ponting disagrees with the ‘more retention is better for the team’ policy, he still backs the current lot of players to help PBKS realise its dream of winning the title.

“It is going to depend on the retention numbers. Say, if it's eight players, then all of a sudden that's 80 players [retained, if all ten teams retain that many].

“There's not going to be a lot of quality players left in the auction, so putting together a squad then would be more difficult. The more the numbers come down on retention, the easier it's going be to put a squad of players together.

“In this current Kings group, you think of some of the young Indian players they have: Prabhsimran [Singh], Ashutosh [Sharma], Shashank [Singh], Jitesh [Sharma], Arshdeep [Singh], Harpreet Brar, Harshal [Patel]. Then among the overseas lot, we have [Liam] Livingstone, [Sam] Curran, [Kagiso] Rabada, [Jonny] Bairstow - there's enough quality,” he noted.

(With inputs from agencies)