In July, Ponting's seven-year tenure with the Delhi Capitals ended after the franchise failed to enter the IPL 2024 playoffs. He now becomes the sixth head coach in seven seasons of PBKS, which finished ninth in 2024 IPL season and decided to part ways with head coach Trevor Bayliss.
"I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new head coach. I am excited to take on the new challenge. I had great discussions with the owners and management about the way forward and was really elated to see the lineup of our visions for the team.
"We all want to reward the fans who have stuck with the franchise over the years and promise that you will see very different Punjab Kings in the future," Ponting said in a statement released by the franchise on Thursday.
Under the Australian's leadership, Delhi Capitals made the playoffs in three seasons - 2019, 2020 and 2021 - and became known for his insightful coaching skills, nurturing youngsters and forming a good relationship with captain Rishabh Pant.
In 2020, DC reached their first IPL final, where they finished runners-up behind Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, PBKS have not qualified for the IPL playoffs since 2014, when they finished runners-up behind Kolkata Knight Riders.
Ponting was in the IPL with KKR and the Mumbai Indians as a player until 2013. He was with the Mumbai Indians in an advisory role in 2014, before becoming their head coach in 2015, where they won the championship, and the seasons of 2016.
Most recently, he was head coach during Washington Freedom's title-winning campaign in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) season in the USA. Ponting also serves as head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL since 2021. .
His first task as PBKS head coach would be to finalize the team's strategy for the IPL 2025 mega auction, which will be held later this year, especially when the retention rules are yet to be officially known.
"We are delighted to have Ricky to guide and build our team over the next 4 seasons. His experience is crucial in helping us develop a team that achieves success on the field. His knowledge from his stints as an international coach and as a television pundit help us will be vital in identifying talent ahead of this year's mega auction. Their ability to develop cricket and leadership skills will play a crucial role in our success," said Satish Menon, CEO of the franchise.
"I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new head coach. I am excited to take on the new challenge. I had great discussions with the owners and management about the way forward and was really elated to see the lineup of our visions for the team.
"We all want to reward the fans who have stuck with the franchise over the years and promise that you will see very different Punjab Kings in the future," Ponting said in a statement released by the franchise on Thursday.
Under the Australian's leadership, Delhi Capitals made the playoffs in three seasons - 2019, 2020 and 2021 - and became known for his insightful coaching skills, nurturing youngsters and forming a good relationship with captain Rishabh Pant.
In 2020, DC reached their first IPL final, where they finished runners-up behind Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, PBKS have not qualified for the IPL playoffs since 2014, when they finished runners-up behind Kolkata Knight Riders.
Ponting was in the IPL with KKR and the Mumbai Indians as a player until 2013. He was with the Mumbai Indians in an advisory role in 2014, before becoming their head coach in 2015, where they won the championship, and the seasons of 2016.
Most recently, he was head coach during Washington Freedom's title-winning campaign in the 2024 Major League Cricket (MLC) season in the USA. Ponting also serves as head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes in the BBL since 2021. .
His first task as PBKS head coach would be to finalize the team's strategy for the IPL 2025 mega auction, which will be held later this year, especially when the retention rules are yet to be officially known.
"We are delighted to have Ricky to guide and build our team over the next 4 seasons. His experience is crucial in helping us develop a team that achieves success on the field. His knowledge from his stints as an international coach and as a television pundit help us will be vital in identifying talent ahead of this year's mega auction. Their ability to develop cricket and leadership skills will play a crucial role in our success," said Satish Menon, CEO of the franchise.
