17 seasons, 0 trophies, 1-time final finish – it won’t be an overstatement to say that the Punjab Kings (PBKS) have perhaps been the worst team in Indian Premier League (IPL) history. They last qualified for the playoffs in 2014, and since then, PBKS have shuffled six coaches in seven years like we scroll through movies on OTT but without any positive result. However, PBKS fans are filled with an air of excitement. Ahead of IPL 2025, the franchise has named a new head coach Ricky Ponting, one of the best players ever to grace a cricket pitch.
Punjab Kings have had to hit the reset button almost every season. But with a new coach and almost a new team every IPL season, the best PBKS have done is press the panic button and then the reset button every now and then. With Ponting getting a four-year deal, the fans will hope for that to change. But can Ponting save the sinking PBKS ship?
Another hard reset
With Trevor Bayliss as the new coach, all assumed PBKS would look for stability. But he lasted two seasons with PBKS finishing 8th and 9th respectively in the last two seasons.
One of the most pressing issues Punjab Kings have been facing is the lack of stability in their coaching setup. The franchise has had as many as six different head coaches in the past seven years, which has undoubtedly disrupted the team’s continuity and progress. That PBKS have won just 109 of the 246 IPL matches in total is a testament to their instability. Ponting’s appointment promises a long-term solution.
“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,” said Ponting.
But the Australian great may not be as grateful two years down the line. Unlike Delhi Capitals, where he enjoyed great support from the owners, Ponting may not get the same free hand in team selection and player auction.
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Ponting and his art of coaching
PBKS need some stability and that is for sure what Ponting will bring to the table. Many might not know but the Australian legend was there with the Mumbai Indians (MI) when they won in 2013 and in 2015. In 2013, he was there as a player but was moved to the support staff when his batting form went down in the dumps. However, in 2015, Ponting won his first IPL title as a head coach, building a superb team filled with local talent.
Interestingly, this philosophy also worked in his next IPL franchise in the form of Delhi Capitals (DC). He joined the team in 2018 and instantly settled the side with power-packed individuals. The core was made up the majority of Indians, with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, Shikhar Dhawan, Prithvi Shaw, and Ishant Sharma in the mix. Ponting should carry this school of thought to PBKS as well.
PBKS & Indian talent!
Luckily for PBKS, it was their Indian talent pool that shone in IPL 2024. Shashank Singh, Ashutosh Sharma, Harpreet Brar, Prabhsimran Singh, and Rahul Chahar guided the team throughout. Unfortunately, with the mega auction coming up, Ponting will have to choose his retentions wisely. Undoubtedly, however, he will keep backing youngsters to the tilt and will endorse more local talent.
Ricky Ponting’s appointment as the head coach of Punjab Kings is a positive step towards improving the franchise’s fortunes. His experience, tactical acumen, and ability to develop young talent make him a strong candidate to turn around the team’s fortunes. However, only time will tell whether Ponting can steer Punjab Kings away from their sinking ship and towards sustained success in the IPL
