Punjab Kings (PBKS) team management is set for a revamp after Ricky Ponting’s appointment as head coach. The franchise has ended its association with Sanjay Bangar ahead of the upcoming IPL mega-auction.
In IPL 2024, Bangar was the cricket development head in PBKS. He was hired by the team in December 2023. The ex-India all-rounder was earlier appointed the head coach of the team from 2014 to 2016.
As per ESPNcricinfo, the management has decided to part ways with Bangar before IPL 2025. The team did not do well in the 2024 season of the league and came last but one, managing to win only five out of the 14 matches played.
A revitalized Punjab strategic committee is on the anvil. In addition to the onboard inclusion of Ponting, the side is looking for a new leader after Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from cricket. In IPL 2024, after Dhawan sustained a shoulder injury, Sam Curran was the temporary team leader.
Whether Curran will be appointed the permanent skipper or the management team will prefer bringing a new captain looking at the huge auction is still a mystery. Even though they have competed since the very first season of the league in 2008, Punjab are one of the three franchises who have not won a single IPL title so far.
“Let’s chase greatness” –Preity Zinta discusses Ricky Ponting’s appointment as the new head coach of PBKS
Ricky Ponting, who previously captained the Australian national team, takes over from Trevor Bayliss as the new head coach for PBKS. The team’s co-owner Preity Zinta posted on her social media last year, expressing her happiness on the appointment of the Australian cricket great.
The well-known Bollywood star wrote on the social media platform called 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
It’s notable that Ricky Ponting has previously been the head coach of Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi Capitals (DC). He left Delhi earlier this year after a seven-year tenure.
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