Punjab Kings are on a roll in the ongoing Indian Premier League after racking up two victories from their first two IPL 2025 games. The team’s transformation — from finishing ninth last season under Trevor Bayliss — has been credited to former Australia captain Ricky Ponting who was appointed as the coach on a four-year contract.
Players like Nehal Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh credited Ponting for the impact he had made on their form this season. While Wadhera scored an unbeaten 43, Prabhsimran posted 69 to help Punjab Kings chase down the target of 172 with eight wickets in hand and 22 deliveries to spare on Tuesday.
After the game, both players praised the World Cup-winning former Australian captain.
“He’s one of the best coaches I’ve ever worked with,” said Wadhera, who was brought into the chase against Lucknow Super Giants by Ponting as an impact player. “I’ve never heard any negative talk from him and that’s the best thing about him. He talks positive, and when a coach gives you such positive remarks, that automatically boosts your confidence.”
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Prabhsimran credited Ponting and his staff for inculcating a winning mentality in the Punjab outfit.
“They’re legends,” he added. “Whenever they speak, it’s always positive. There’s no such thing as ‘if’ (in their thinking). They ask us to go with just one mindset, and that is of winning. They have asked us to back our game.”
With two wins in two games, Punjab Kings find themselves in the second spot in the IPL rankings. Shreyas Iyer and CO take on ninth-placed Rajasthan Royals on Saturday.
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