Punjab Kings co-owner Preity Zinta expressed her excitement after the franchise announced Ricky Ponting as their new head coach for IPL 2025 on September 18. The Bollywood star welcomed Ponting as the team strives for its first IPL title.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ponting has signed a four-year contract with PBKS after his seven-year tenure with Delhi Capitals concluded earlier this year. He replaces Trevor Bayliss as head coach.
Ponting will be the third head coach in four seasons for Punjab, following their ninth-place finish in the IPL 2024 points table. The team has not qualified for the IPL playoffs since 2014.
Preity Zinta wrote on X:
“Huge welcome to @RickyPonting as our new head coach! Let’s chase greatness.”
🙌 Huge welcome to @RickyPonting as our new head coach! Let’s chase greatness, @PunjabKingsIPL ! 🏏🔥 #saddapunjab #PunjabKings #ting pic.twitter.com/NEqJ10Vypl
— Preity G Zinta (@realpreityzinta) September 18, 2024
As head coach, Ricky Ponting recently led the Steve Smith-captained Washington Freedom to victory in the Major League Cricket title during the tournament’s latest edition.
“Excited To Take On The New Challenge” – Ricky Ponting Responds To His Appointment As PBKS Head Coach
Ricky Ponting has shared his appreciation for returning to the IPL as head coach. The two-time World Cup-winning captain is eager to transform the fortunes of the Punjab franchise, which has not made the playoffs since finishing as runners-up in 2014.
On his appointment, Ponting said (via ESPNcricinfo):
“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,” he added.
Ponting will be looking for improved acquisitions for Punjab at the IPL 2025 auction. The franchise will seek a new captain following the retirement of former skipper Shikhar Dhawan from all formats of cricket.
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