Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS), starting from IPL 2025. His appointment comes just over two months after his departure from Delhi Capitals, where he served as head coach for seven years.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Ponting has signed a four-year contract with Punjab Kings, a team that has multiple owners. Ponting will have the authority to make decisions regarding the coaching staff, though it is still unclear whether last year’s coaching unit—comprising Trevor Bayliss (head coach), Sanjay Bangar (head of cricket development), Charl Langeveldt (fast-bowling coach), and Sunil Joshi (spin-bowling coach)—will remain in place.
Ponting expressed his gratitude to the Kings for the opportunity, stating that he is excited for the new challenge. He mentioned that discussions with the franchise owners and management aligned well with his vision for the team. Ponting promised that fans would witness a transformed Punjab Kings in the coming seasons, aiming to reward their long-standing support.
Ponting will be the third head coach at Kings in four seasons. The franchise finished ninth in IPL 2024 and has not qualified for the playoffs since their runner-up finish in 2014. His immediate task will be to shortlist players for retention ahead of the next season, as teams await the IPL's finalised retention rules. Notable performers for Punjab Kings in the last season included Harshal Patel, who secured the purple cap for the second time, along with uncapped Indian players Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. The squad also features key players like Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and a strong contingent of overseas players including Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada. Additionally, with Shikhar Dhawan recently retiring, the franchise will need to appoint a new captain.
Ponting has been a part of the IPL since its inception in 2008, starting as a player with Kolkata Knight Riders before moving to Mumbai Indians. He stepped down as Mumbai’s captain in 2013, allowing Rohit Sharma to take over, and the team went on to win the title that year. Ponting remained with Mumbai in advisory and coaching roles through 2016.
In 2018, he took charge as head coach of Delhi Capitals, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2021, including a trip to the IPL final in 2020. After leaving the Capitals in July, Ponting led Washington Freedom to a title victory in Major League Cricket’s 2024 season.