'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
Punjab Kings' co-owner Preity Zinta expressed her delight after the Indian Premier League franchise announced Ricky Ponting as their new head coach ahead of IPL 2025 on Wednesday, September 18. The Bollywood actress welcomed Ponting aboard as the Punjab-based franchise aim for their first-ever IPL title.
As per ESPNcricinfo, Ponting has joined PBKS on a four-year contract deal after his seven year-tenure ended at Delhi Capitals earlier this year. The former Australian captain has replaced Trevor Bayliss as Punjab's head coach.
Ricky Ponting will be the third head coach in four seasons at Kings. This comes after Punjab finished in ninth place in the IPL 2024 points table. Notably, they have failed to qualify for the IPL playoffs since 2014.
Preity Zinta wrote on X:
"Huge welcome to @RickyPonting as our new head coach! Let’s chase greatness."
As head coach, Ricky Ponting recently guided Steve Smith-led Washington Freedom to the Major League Cricket title in the latest edition of the tournament.
"Excited to take up the new challenge" - Ricky Ponting reacts to his appointment as PBKS head coach
Ricky Ponting has expressed his gratitude on returning to IPL as head coach. The two-time World Cup winning captain is keen to change the fortunes of the Punjab-based franchise, which has failed to reach the playoffs since 2014 when they ended as runners-up.
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 hope for better acquisitions for Punjab at IPL 2025 auction. The franchise will look for a new captain after erstwhile skipper Shikhar Dhawan announced his retirement from all forms of cricket.
