Punjab Kings Confirm Ricky Ponting's Appointment As Head Coach With Cryptic And Nostalgic Post

IPL 2025: The Indian Premier League has been creating a lot of buzz lately. Despite the mega auctions few months away, the buzz around the IPL refuses to die. The IPL is seventeen years old and every season delivers more than the previous one. This time around the mega auction has been the biggest talking point of the Indian Premier League. Franchises are going under significant changes, especially with their coaching staff. One such has been made to the Punjab Kings coaching staff as well.

Punjab Kings Rope In Ricky Ponting As New Head Coach

In a move that nobody saw coming, Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the Head Coach of the Punjab Kings . Ponting has replaced Trevor Bayliss at the helm of PBKS. The former Australian captain recently stepped down from the coaching duties of the Delhi Capitals . Ponting had been Delhi's coach for seven years and they had also played the finals of the IPL in 2020 which they eventually ended up losing to Mumbai Indians .

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While announcing Ponting's appointment as the Head Coach, Punjab Kings shared a very nostalgic and cryptic social media post. The post is relatable for every cricket fan all across the world and features four key elements. The ODI World Cup trophy, the Kookaburra bat, a pair of springs and a door sign that reads 'pull'.

So the World Cup signifies Ponting winning two ODI WCs under his captaincy. The Kookaburra bat is the one with which Ricky used to play with. As far as the springs go, there was a rumour in India that Ponting had a spring in his bat which he used for the 2003 ODI World Cup final and the 'pull' sign ofcourse indicates towards Ricky's favourite shot.

‘I Am Grateful’: Ricky Ponting

Expressing his delight at joining Punjab Kings , 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."

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Ricky Ponting has coached the Mumbai Indians and the Delhi Capitals in the IPL across 11 seasons. During this period, he has guided them to one championship and four playoffs. In the 2024 MLC season, the Washington Freedom appointed him as Head Coach and he guided the team to the title. Ricky also is the head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL since 2021.