Ricky Ponting Calls For Reset In Mindset As Punjab Kings Gear Up For Gujarat Titans: 'We’ve Got To Start All Over Again'

IPL 2026: Punjab Kings (PBKS) are set to kick off their IPL 2026 campaign against Gujarat Titans (GT) at their home ground, New International Stadium, New Chandigarh on March 31. Punjab reached the final last season but lost to a superior RCB in the summit clash at Ahmedabad. Shreyas Iyer and Co will be hoping to replicate their magic, only to pass the final hurdle this time. 

Head Coach Ricky Ponting voiced his confidence and insisted the squad is stronger, more refined, and better prepared to deliver in IPL 2026.

Ahead of the PBKS vs GT clash, Ponting reiterated that while last season’s top-of-the-table finish was encouraging, they are not taking anything for granted and are approaching the new campaign with a fresh mindset.

“It’s nice to reflect on what was a great season for the franchise, but that doesn’t mean anything going into a new year. It’s nil-nil now for everybody. We’ve got to start that all over again,” he said.

The coach also pointed to improved squad depth and flexibility as a major strength this season, with multiple options available across roles.

“We've got the players that we want in certain roles, but we've also got a back-up player for most of those players right the way down to our 25th player. I just think overall, we should be stronger,” the head coach said.

He further added, “I just think there's been natural growth in a lot of our players and if we can bring the best out of them over the next two months, starting tomorrow, there's no reason why our performances can't be better than last year.”

With the season opener set to be played on a surface expected to favour batting, Ponting acknowledged the importance of adapting quickly to conditions while finalising the playing XI.

He said, “We have got 25 players to pick from, with a nice balance of overseas players and Indian talent. First and foremost, we have to understand the conditions before we pick the team. It's just started raining now, so all the covers have gone down outside, so we haven't actually seen the playing surface for the last couple of days.”

“So hopefully before the end of the session tonight, we can have a really good look at the wicket that we're going to use tomorrow, and then we can start thinking about different combinations and impact players and what we might want to do with our line-up,” he further added.

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As Punjab Kings prepare to take the field, Ponting expressed his excitement to get the ball rolling, while also emphasising his belief in this new squad.

“We need to start well tomorrow, we need to play well at our home ground, but I honestly feel that we've got a better squad than we had last year. Our younger players are more experienced now and the overseas players that we've brought in this year are better than the squad that we had last year. So overall, I'm really excited to get the season underway,” he concluded.

Punjab Kings will play their first match of the season against the Gujarat Titans at the New PCA Stadium, New Chandigarh, on March 31 at 7:30 PM IST.