IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting named Punjab Kings head coach

Punjab Kings (PBKS) on Wednesday (September 18) announced former Australian captain Ricky Ponting as their new head coach. Ponting will take charge of the team for the IPL 2025 season and beyond. He has singed a four-year contract.

Expressing his delight at joining Punjab, Ponting said, "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."

Ponting has coached the Mumbai Indians (MI) and the Delhi Capitals (DC) in the IPL across 11 seasons.

In the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) season, the Washington Freedom appointed him as head coach and he guided the team to the title. Ponting is also the head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL) since 2021.

Speaking on the appointment, Satish Menon CEO of the Kings said, "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."

Under Ponting, Delhi became a force to be reckoned with though the elusive title never came despite the team reaching the final in 2020.

Punjab too have never won the IPL since the league's inception in 2008 and the four co-owners will be hoping the World Cup-winning captain takes them all the way.

Punjab's sole final appearance came way back in 2014 and they are one team which is often criticised for frequent chopping and changing. They have failed to finish even in the top five in the last seven editions and ended ninth out of 10 teams earlier this year.

Bayliss was in charge of the side for the past two seasons with now-retired Shikhar Dhawan as their captain. Sanjay Bangar was head of cricket development, Charles Langveldt, the fast bowling coach, and Sunil Joshi took care of the spinners.

Prior to Bayliss, Anil Kumble coached Punjab but success eluded them.

Punjab have had a strong core including Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Kagiso Rabada, Liam Livingstone, Sam Curran and Jonny Bairstow but the results have not come. Uncapped Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma were the standout players for Punjab Kings in an otherwise forgettable season this year.