Ricky Ponting is new Punjab Kings head coach for IPL 2025

MUMBAI: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is set to return to the IPL in 2025, this time as the Punjab Kings head coach. The Punjab Kings are yet to win an IPL title since the inception of the high-profile T20 league in 2008. Ponting has replaced fellow Aussie and former England head coach Trevor Bayliss, who was the franchise’s head coach for the past two IPL seasons, during which the Mohali-based side failed to go to the playoffs.

Its learnt that the Australian legend, who was the Delhi Capitals for the past seven years since joining the franchise in 2018, and the Mumbai Indians before that, was in talks with three IPL teams, before finalising a deal with the Mohali-based side. Speaking on Ponting's appointment as the franchise's head coach, Satish Menon, CEO of Punjab Kings said in a media release, "We are delighted to have Ricky on to guide and build our team for the next 4 seasons. His experience is crucial to help us develop a squad to deliver on-field success. His insights from his international coaching stints and as a television pundit would be vital in identifying talent ahead of the mega auction this year. His ability to develop cricketing and leadership skills will play a crucial role in our success. "

The Punjab Kings' media release quoted Ponting as saying, "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."

Under Ponting, the Delhi Capitals reached their maiden IPL final in 2020, and overall reached the playoffs thrice-in 2019 & 2021 too. He was earlier the head coach of the Mumbai Indians-overall Ponting has the vast experience of coaching in the IPL for 11 seasons, in which he has won one IPL title. Ponting also is the head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL since 2021.
Recently, the 49-year-old, while speaking on Sky Sports Podcast following his title-winning stint with Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket, revealed that he has no intentions of taking up an international coaching role, but did appear enthusiastic about the potential opportunities from the Indian Premier League on the way after leaving DC.

"An international role is not where I am right now. The last two years have been a lot busier than I wanted. This year I have coached in the MLC as well which was a lot of fun. I'll continue to do that. That was just three and a half weeks. I finished up with DC as well so there might be a few other opportunities coming in the IPL in the next few weeks. We'll see," he said.

Ponting is presently commentating in the England versus Australia limited overs series in the UK.


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