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'Was Talking To Few IPL Teams But...': Ricky Ponting Reveals Why He Joined PBKS Ahead Of IPL 2025

Ponting was selected as PBKS coach [x] Ponting was selected as PBKS coach [x]

Punjab Kings appointed Ricky Ponting as their new head coach ahead of the IPL 2025 season. The former DC coach had an underwhelming couple of seasons for the Delhi based franchise and was removed from the position after the end of the last IPL season.

 A champion player in his playing days, Ponting has a shrewd mind and is tactically a brilliant coach, something which the Punjab franchise lacks at the moment. Over the years, they've hired several coaches, but nothing has worked for the team as they have consistently finished at the bottom of the table. 

The former Aussie skipper had several coaching offers, but he declined them and decided to embark on a new journey with Punjab side.

Trevor Bayliss was the head coach of the Punjab side for the 2024 season, but he failed to weave his magic as the team finished at the 9th position with just 5 wins under their belt. With Ponting as the supreme head, PBKS have appointed a brilliant man-manager as well, something which they desperately need.

After being appointed the new head coach, Ponting revealed the reason as to why he chose project PBKS for his next challenge.

"I was talking to a few IPL teams, but 'Project Punjab' attracted me. It's a team which hasn't had a lot of success, a team that changed a lot of coaches, so I saw it as a challenge," as quoted by ESPNCricinfo.

Ponting's IPL coaching history

Ponting, previously served as the head coach of Delhi Capitals, a position he held for the last seven seasons. Under his guidance, DC achieved considerable success, and reached the finals of the IPL in 2020.

Apart from the 2020 season, he led them to the playoffs in 2019, 2021, and formed a strong Indian core, led by the dynamic Rishabh Pant.

Last season was a disaster for Ponting and DC, as despite boasting a strong team, the Delhi side finished at the 6th position in the table.