Ricky Ponting Lauds Punjab Kings' Team Spirit After IPL 2025 Victory
Punjab Kings Secure Playoff Spot with Victory Over Mumbai Indians
Ricky Ponting, the head coach of Punjab Kings, commended his team's dedication and culture following their impressive seven-wicket victory against Mumbai Indians in Jaipur, which secured them a top-two finish in IPL 2025. While he expressed pride in the team's cohesion, Ponting noted that the real test lies ahead in the playoffs.
"I’m very pleased; a lot of effort goes into achieving this. It starts from the auction, and for me, it was crucial to make an immediate impact at a new franchise. It’s clear we have a quality team moving in the right direction. However, we haven't accomplished anything yet; I keep reminding the players that the significant matches are still to come," Ponting stated post-match.
The match was highlighted by a stellar performance from Priyansh Arya, who scored 62 runs, and Josh Inglis, who contributed 73 runs, leading PBKS to chase down Mumbai’s total of 184 with seven balls remaining. Ponting praised the fearless attitude of the younger players.
"Prabhsimran, at 23-24, has already amassed 500 runs. I mentioned earlier that Priyansh is one of the standout players of the tournament, and it’s hard to argue against that now. The young talent is fearless, and our overseas players, including Inglis and Stoinis, have been exceptional. Shreyas has also been remarkable," he added.
Insights on Team Dynamics and Player Updates
Ponting expressed his eagerness to work with Shreyas Iyer at Punjab, having previously collaborated with him in Delhi. He emphasized the significance of team unity and strong leadership, especially in high-pressure situations.
"We’re a joyful group and have enjoyed each other’s company over the past ten weeks, with one more to go. It was evident that I was keen to work with Shreyas, especially considering the investment I made during the auction. Our working relationship in Delhi was solid, and he is a quality individual, which is essential for building a strong culture," he remarked.
He also mentioned that Yuzvendra Chahal, who missed the match against Delhi Capitals due to a wrist issue, is likely to return for the playoffs. Additionally, Ponting confirmed that Marco Jansen’s exit was planned, praising the depth of the team.
"Arshdeep is doing great, and Chahal should be back. If you talk to the players individually, they’ll have good things to say about Shreyas. We’ll celebrate tonight, as we have after every game except the last one due to the quick turnaround. We have a late afternoon flight tomorrow, and we’ll organize our training slots accordingly. We’ll ensure the players get adequate rest," he concluded.
"Jansen is a high-quality player, and replacing him is challenging. We brought in Jamieson tonight to ensure he got some game time before Marco’s departure. Every team faces player absences, but we believe we have sufficient depth to cover for Marco, despite it being a significant loss."