IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting named new head coach of Punjab Kings

Punjab Kings (PBKS) named Ricky Ponting as their new head coach on Wednesday ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 season. Former Australia captain Ponting has signed a four-year contract with the Punjab franchise.

“I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new Head Coach,” Ponting was quoted as saying by the PBKS press release. “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.”

PBKS eye ‘on-field success’

It was reported earlier that Ponting will also be deciding on the support staff at PBKS. Punjab were coached by Trevor Bayliss in the last two seasons whose contract ended after IPL 2024. PBKS also appointed former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar as their new head of cricket development in 2023.

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Speaking on Ponting’s appointment, Satish Menon CEO of the Kings said, “We are delighted to have Ricky on to guide and build our team for the next 4 seasons. His experience is crucial to help us develop a squad to deliver on-field success. His insights from his international coaching stints and as a television pundit would be vital in identifying talent ahead of the mega auction this year. His ability to develop cricketing and leadership skills will play a crucial role in our success. "

Ponting’s coaching record in franchise cricket

Ponting, who won IPL as a player in 2013 with Mumbai Indians and later as a coach with the team in 2015, joined Delhi Capitals (DC) in 2018 and stayed with the team for seven years. He helped Delhi reach their first IPL final in 2020 as they also qualified for the playoffs in 2019 and 2021. However, he has had a disappointing tenure in the last two seasons with DC finishing ninth and sixth respectively in 2023 and 2024 after finishing fifth in 2022.

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He parted ways with DC earlier this year.

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.

PBKS have never won the IPL title and their best performance has been finishing as the runners-up in 2014.