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Ricky Ponting, PBKS Squad Perform Puja Before IPL 2025 | WATCH

March 21, 2025, 1:15 am

Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting, along with the team management, recently performed a puja ahead of IPL 2025. Ponting, who joined PBKS after parting ways with Delhi Capitals (DC) post-IPL 2024, is set to embark on his first season as PBKS coach.

Ricky Ponting doing Pooja. ?❤️pic.twitter.com/6BfAt62eOy

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) March 20, 2025

Ponting Joins PBKS After Successful Stint with DC

Ponting, who coached Delhi Capitals for seven years (2018–2024), played a crucial role in assembling PBKS’ squad during the IPL 2025 mega auction. The franchise invested ₹26.75 crores to acquire Shreyas Iyer, who has been appointed as the new captain.

PBKS Strengthens Squad with Key Players

PBKS made significant moves in the auction, adding players like Arshdeep Singh, Yuzvendra Chahal, and several Australian cricketers to strengthen their squad. As part of their preparation, the team performed a puja, seeking blessings for a successful season.

Aakash Chopra Praises PBKS Squad but Highlights Concerns

Cricketer-turned-analyst Aakash Chopra shared his views on PBKS’ squad for IPL 2025. While praising the overall team strength, he expressed concerns about the lack of quality Indian batters.

Chopra’s Concerns About Indian Batting Depth

In a video on his YouTube channel, Chopra mentioned:

“They have assembled a good squad, but the Indian batting seems slightly weak. Shreyas Iyer is the star, but apart from him, options like Nehal Wadhera, Shashank Singh, and Prabhsimran Singh remain inconsistent.”

Chopra emphasized that while Shashank Singh had one great season, Nehal Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh are yet to prove their consistency.

Challenges for PBKS in IPL 2025

Chopra concluded by stating that PBKS’ success in IPL 2025 may hinge on the performance of their Indian batters, which remains a challenge.

Ricky Ponting on Rohit Sharma: “He Must Have 2027 World Cup in Mind”

March 12, 2025, 3:20 pm

Australian cricket great Ricky Ponting is convinced Indian captain Rohit Sharma is targeting the 2027 ODI World Cup after dismissing retirement rumors after India’s Champions Trophy 2025 victory. Ricky Ponting was his usual frank self on ICC Review, underlining that Rohit’s heroics in the final were proof of his continuing abilities and captaincy.

Many expected Rohit Sharma to announce his retirement after India defeated New Zealand in the Champions Trophy final. However, the 37-year-old made it clear that he has no plans to step away from the 50-over format.

“One more thing, I’m not going to retire from this format, just to make sure no more rumours are spread,” Rohit stated in the post-match press conference after being named Player-of-the-Match in the final.

Ricky Ponting Sees Rohit Play Until 2027 ODI World Cup

Ricky Ponting, who guided Australia to two ODI World Cups and several Champions Trophy titles, noted that Rohit’s game-winning innings of 76 in the final was an obvious reply to his detractors. The Indian captain is committed to playing the 2027 ODI World Cup, he feels.

“When you start getting to that point of your career, everyone’s waiting for you to retire,” Ricky Ponting said. “And I don’t know why, when you can still play as well as he’s played (in the final), I think he was just trying to put those questions to bed once and for all and say, ‘no, I’m still playing well enough. I love playing in this team. I love leading this team.’

“And I think, the fact that he said that, to me, it means that he must have that goal in mind of playing in the next (50-over) World Cup (in 2027).”

Unfinished Business in 50-Over Cricket

Rohit took India to the final of the 2023 ODI World Cup, taking his side through a historic 10-game winning streak. But India came short in the peak clash with Australia. According to Ponting, this loss is a main stimulus for Rohit to play.

“I think probably the fact that they lost the last one and he was captain, that might be the thing that’s playing on the back of his mind,” Ponting said.

“Just have one more crack at trying to win the T20 World Cup, the Champions Trophy, and the ODI World Cup.”

“I mean when you see him play like he played in the Champions Trophy final, you wouldn’t say that his time is up just yet.”

Ricky Ponting Predicts Champions Trophy 2025 Finalists Names

February 2, 2025, 2:59 pm

Ricky Ponting, an ICC Hall of Famer and ex-World Cup-winning captain, has forecasted that India and Australia will be the competitors in the final of the forthcoming ICC Men’s Champions Trophy 2025, which is set to commence on February 19 in Pakistan. He also identified England and South Africa as the other two semi-finalists.

Ponting expressed these predictions while appearing on The ICC Review with former India head coach Ravi Shastri, who concurred with his selections.

“It’s difficult to overlook India and Australia once more. Just consider the caliber of players in both nations at this moment, and reflect on recent history when these significant finals and major ICC tournaments have taken place, and typically Australia and India are present somewhere,” Ponting stated on The ICC Review.

India and Australia have both claimed the title twice—India in 2002 and 2013, whereas Australia in 2006 and 2009. Both countries have a track record of achievement in ICC tournaments, with Australia having recently triumphed over India in the ICC World Test Championship and the ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup in 2023.

Nevertheless, Ponting pointed out another possible challenger: Pakistan.

“The other team that is currently playing very good cricket is Pakistan. Their one-day cricket has been exceptionally excellent recently. We know they’re not always the most consistent team in those large tournaments, but they appear to have resolved some issues,” he remarked.

Pakistan, under the captaincy of Mohammad Rizwan, has been performing strongly, achieving ODI series victories against Australia and South Africa. They enter the tournament as the reigning champions, having won the 2017 edition under Sarfaraz Ahmed with a commanding final showing against India.

The 2025 Champions Trophy will kick off on February 19 in Karachi, featuring Pakistan taking on New Zealand in the inaugural match. The tournament’s final is slated for March 9.

Ricky Ponting Backs Yashasvi Jaiswal’s Controversial Dismissal, Says He Began To…”

December 30, 2024, 4:24 pm

The final hour of the fourth Test between India and Australia was marked by controversy, particularly regarding Yashasvi Jaiswal’s dismissal, which became a major talking point. Jaiswal was given out caught behind off Pat Cummins, but the on-field umpire initially ruled him not out. Australia reviewed the decision, and despite the snickometer showing no clear evidence of a touch, the third umpire believed the ball had deflected off Jaiswal’s gloves and overturned the decision.

Indian cricket experts were taken aback by this decision. Sunil Gavaskar suggested that the apparent deflection could have been an optical illusion. However, Ricky Ponting defended the third umpire’s call, stating that Jaiswal had already started walking when the review was called.

“They can make of it what they like. That clearly hit the glove. Jaiswal actually started to walk as soon as he knows they went upstairs, he started to take a couple of steps away. Snicko has proven to be correct. As far as I’m concerned, there’s no argument whatsoever,” the former Australian captain commented on air.

Jaiswal, visibly surprised by the decision, spoke with the on-field umpire. His dismissal left India struggling at 140/7. Six overs later, Akash Deep was dismissed for 7 off 17 balls, and just 14 balls after that, Scott Boland dismissed Jasprit Bumrah.

India had been set a target of 340 in the fourth innings. They began the chase reasonably well, with Rohit Sharma and Yashasvi Jaiswal playing 16.1 overs for 25 runs. However, both Rohit and KL Rahul were dismissed in the 17th over, and Virat Kohli’s continued struggles saw him make just 5 runs off 29 balls. Rishabh Pant fought on for 104 balls, scoring just 30 runs, but his wicket marked the beginning of India’s collapse as they were bowled out for 155.

Ponting Urges Rohit Sharma To Reclaim Opening Spot For Brisbane Test

December 12, 2024, 10:34 pm

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Indian skipper Rohit Sharma should return to his preferred role as an opener for the third Test against Australia in Brisbane. Ponting’s remarks come after Rohit struggled in the middle order during India’s loss in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide.

Rohit batted at number six in Adelaide, a departure from his usual opening spot, following India’s decision to retain the successful opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, who had posted a 201-run stand in the first Test at Perth. Rohit, having previously batted at number six in 25 innings, was seen as a flexible option.

However, Ponting expressed concerns about the move during an episode of The ICC Review with host Sanjana Ganesan. “I felt that if Rohit Sharma was returning to the side, he should have gone straight back to the top to open the batting,” Ponting said. “KL and Jaiswal had a 200-run partnership in Perth, but Rohit is your captain and one of your most experienced players. You want him batting in his normal role. That’s something they might need to reconsider–perhaps moving Rohit back to the top for Brisbane.”

In Adelaide, Rohit scored only three and six runs in two innings, contributing to Australia’s emphatic 10-wicket win. His form in recent Tests has raised concerns, with just 142 runs at an average of 11.83 in his last 12 innings. Ponting noted, however, that external scrutiny may not be necessary. “As a player, you know when you’re not scoring runs. Rohit had a long break before that Test, and the wicket wasn’t easy to bat on. The key is to make him comfortable. I’d move him back to opening, perhaps shifting KL further down the order.”

Also Read: Ricky Ponting Lauds Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy After India’s Narrow Victory Over Pakistan

Since taking up the opening role in 2019, Rohit has been a standout performer, accumulating 2,685 runs in 64 innings at an average of 44.01, with nine centuries and eight half-centuries.

With the series tied 1-1, the focus shifts to Brisbane’s Gabba for the third Test starting December 14. The venue holds special memories for India, having broken Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak there in 2021. More recently, Australia lost to the West Indies in a pink-ball Test at the Gabba, adding pressure on the hosts ahead of this decisive clash.

Not Sourav Ganguly! 2011 World Cup Star Set To Coach Delhi Capitals For IPL 2025: Report

August 24, 2024, 11:03 pm

The Delhi Capitals have recently parted ways with Ricky Ponting as their head coach, and former India captain Sourav Ganguly, currently the Director of Cricket Operations at the franchise, had shown interest in stepping into a coaching role. However, it appears that Yuvraj Singh, the legendary Indian all-rounder and Ganguly’s former protege, might be considered for a coaching position for IPL 2025.

According to a Sportstar report, Delhi Capitals are eager to include Yuvraj Singh in their coaching staff. A final decision on this is still pending. There were previous indications that Gujarat Titans might replace Ashish Nehra with Yuvraj Singh, but it now seems that the IPL 2022 champions are looking for a former player to fill Gary Kirsten’s role, who has taken on the white-ball head coach position for Pakistan.

The report also mentions that Delhi Capitals aim to strengthen their batting lineup for IPL 2025 and view Yuvraj Singh as a potential mentor for their batters. Although Yuvraj lacks formal coaching experience, he has worked with players like Shubman Gill and Abhishek Sharma over the years.

While Sourav Ganguly had expressed a desire to take on a coaching role, he is expected to continue overseeing the franchise’s overall operations as the Director of Cricket Operations. Yuvraj Singh previously played for Delhi Capitals, having been the highest-paid player in IPL history when he was bought for Rs 16 crore in the 2015 auction. He scored 248 runs in 14 matches for the team that year before being released ahead of the 2016 auction.

Ricky Ponting Lauds Rohit Sharma’s Captaincy After India’s Narrow Victory Over Pakistan

June 10, 2024, 5:58 pm

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting heaped praise on India skipper Rohit Sharma following India’s narrow 6-run win over Pakistan in the T20 World Cup 2024. Ponting described Rohit as a “very experienced captain” and commended his leadership during the high-stakes match.

Despite Rohit’s brief innings of 13 runs off 12 balls, which included one four and one six before being dismissed by Shaheen Afridi in the third over, Ponting focused on his captaincy. In a video shared on the official ICC Instagram account, Ponting remarked, “Rohit Sharma is a very experienced captain, isn’t he? And I just saw him then and said, mate, your captaincy today was outstanding. I don’t think he could have done much more.”

Ponting highlighted Rohit’s understanding of his bowlers, many of whom he has captained in the IPL as well as for India. “He understands them, knows when he can use them, but it’s one thing for the captain to set a plan, the bowlers are going to go ahead and execute it and Hardik was outstanding,” he added.

Ponting also noted the changing pitch conditions during the match, explaining that the wicket dried out quickly in the second innings due to the sun. “I thought he did a really good job with the ball as well, and then you break it down and this has been a wicket that the seamers have liked, but their spinner bowled four overs for 20 as well and Patel picked up a big wicket,” he said. Ponting emphasized the adaptability required under these conditions, praising Rohit’s ability to adjust on the run.

The match, held at New York’s Nassau International Cricket Stadium, saw India secure a victory in a low-scoring thriller. Pakistan won the toss and elected to field, putting India under pressure on a challenging surface. Star openers Virat Kohli (4) and Rohit Sharma (13) struggled to make an impact.

Rishabh Pant stepped up with an aggressive 42 off 31 balls, forming crucial partnerships with Axar Patel and Suryakumar Yadav. However, India’s lower middle order crumbled, leaving them at 119 in 19 overs. Pakistan’s Haris Rauf and Naseem Shah both took three wickets each, while Mohammed Amir and Shaheen Shah Afridi also contributed to India’s struggles.

In response, Pakistan adopted a measured approach, with Mohammed Rizwan anchoring the innings with 31 runs off 44 balls. However, Jasprit Bumrah (3/14) and Hardik Pandya (2/24) dismantled Pakistan’s batting lineup, claiming key wickets including Babar Azam, Fakhar Zaman, Shadab Khan, and Iftikhar Ahmed.

Regular wickets kept Pakistan under pressure, and despite Naseem Shah’s late efforts, they fell short by six runs. Arshdeep Singh’s accurate final over ensured India’s victory. Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his decisive spell.

This win places India at the top of Group A with two wins and four points. In contrast, Pakistan’s chances of advancing look slim, sitting in fourth place after losses to both the USA and India.

Ricky Ponting Picks These 2 Star Players as the Leading Wicket-Taker and Run-Scorer in T20 World Cup

May 30, 2024, 4:35 pm

With the T20 World Cup on the horizon, anticipation reaches a fever pitch as former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting shares his predictions for the tournament’s top performers. Ponting’s insights shed light on potential game-changers, highlighting key players poised to leave their mark on the global stage. As cricket enthusiasts gear up for the tournament co-hosted by the USA and West Indies, Ponting’s foresight adds an extra layer of excitement, setting the stage for an exhilarating competition. Ponting predicted the leading wicket-taker and the run-scorer for the tournament:

Leading Wicket-Taker: Jasprit Bumrah

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has chosen Jasprit Bumrah as the top wicket-taker for the upcoming T20 World Cup. Ponting expressed his confidence in Bumrah’s ability to dominate the wicket-taking charts, citing his impressive form from IPL 2024 and his knack for exploiting the new ball. Bumrah’s economical bowling in the IPL, coupled with his knack for taking wickets even in challenging situations, led Ponting to back him for the title of leading wicket-taker.

As one of the top wicket-takers in IPL 2024 with 20 wickets in 13 matches at an economy rate of 6.48, Bumrah’s match-winning performances for India make him a formidable force to watch out for in the T20 World Cup.

Leading Run-Scorer: Travis Head

Ponting also singled out Australia’s aggressive opener, Travis Head, as his choice for the leading run-scorer in the tournament. He commended Head’s fearless approach to batting and his standout performances for SRH in IPL 2024.

Despite the occasional fluctuations in form, Ponting believes that Head’s ability to win games for his team with explosive batting makes him a strong contender for the top run-scorer title. With an impressive record of 567 runs in 15 matches at a strike-rate of 191.55 in IPL 2024, Head’s contributions could prove crucial for Australia’s success in the T20 World Cup.

“There Were Few One-to-One Conversations…”: Ponting on Being Approached to Coach Indian Team

May 23, 2024, 2:19 pm

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and renowned batsman, disclosed that he was approached for the position of head coach for Team India during the current season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he declined the offer as it doesn’t align with his current priorities of spending more time with his family.

Ponting’s revelation follows the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) inviting applications for the position of men’s national team head coach earlier this month. The tenure for this role is set to commence from July 1 of this year until December 31, 2027, coinciding with the next 50-over Cricket World Cup.

Recently concluding his seventh season as coach of the Delhi Capitals in the IPL, Ponting had a mixed experience in this year’s tournament as his team narrowly missed the playoffs, securing sixth place with seven wins, seven losses, and 14 points.

Although Ponting has previously coached in the IPL with Mumbai Indians (MI) and Delhi and served as Australia’s national T20I coach on an interim basis, he has resisted committing to the demands of coaching a high-profile national team on a full-time basis.

However, with Rahul Dravid’s tenure as India’s head coach ending after this year’s T20 World Cup in June, and the team in search of a new leader, Ponting is among several former cricketing greats who have been approached for the role.

Ponting acknowledged the discussions about the coaching role, stating that while he would love to be a senior coach for a national team, the demands of the position, coupled with his personal commitments, don’t currently align with his lifestyle and interests.

Other names, such as Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming, have also been linked to the India coaching job, but Ponting deems it unlikely for himself due to his existing priorities.

Ponting shared a light-hearted moment when he discussed the idea of becoming India’s coach with his son, Fletcher, who expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of relocating to India. However, Ponting ultimately concluded that the role doesn’t fit into his current lifestyle.

Despite his family’s enjoyment of spending time in India, Ponting remains focused on his personal priorities and commitments.

Washington Freedom Appoints Ricky Ponting as Head Coach before MLC Season 2

February 7, 2024, 1:01 pm

Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, has been named head coach of the Washington Freedom for the second season of Major League Cricket (MLC).

The franchise took to X to announce Ponting as the head coach and wrote, “Get ready for a cricket revolution! With @RickyPonting leading, Washington Freedom is set to transform American cricket. As we dive into MLC Season 2, expect groundbreaking plays. Let the games begin.”

The 49-year-old will take over the post left vacant by Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd. Freedom finished third in the MLC’s debut season, guided by Ponting’s longtime coach.

Ricky Ponting, as he embarks on a new cricketing journey in the US, said in a statement: “I’m extremely excited to be joining the Washington Freedom in 2024. Cricket is really on the rise in the US and I’m looking forward to being involved in Major League Cricket. I’ve been impressed by everyone involved at Washington Freedom, and, while it’s a bit surreal to be replacing my mate Greg Shipperd, there’s probably no one better to set up a successful franchise. I’m ready to build on his work as we look towards the coming season.”

Michael Klinger, CNSW Head of Male T20 Cricket and General Manager of Cricket at Washington Freedom, believes Ponting’s arrival will have a huge impact on the MLC and cricket in the United States.

“Ricky was one of the most recognised and revered cricketers in the world during his playing days and is now one of the most respected and coveted coaches on the global circuit. It is a huge coup, not only for Washington Freedom and the partnership with Cricket NSW, but more holistically for Major League Cricket and cricket in North America in general,” Klinger said.

“Players want to play for Ricky. He has an incredible eye for talent and a skill in bringing the best out of those players. Ricky will work with some of our CNSW coaches and players who are part of the Washington Freedom set up and we look forward to building on the foundations for success from the first edition of MLC,” he added.

Freedom owner Sanjay Govil added, “Reflecting on the success of MLC’s inaugural season and the aspiration to elevate cricket in the USA, we are poised to build upon the foundations laid last year. Our journey saw us capture the imagination of the cricket-passionate local community, showcasing the burgeoning talent within the US and igniting a passion for the sport. As we look to the future, it’s clear that our ambitions require a figure of unmatched stature and expertise.”