The former Indian cricketer Aakash Chopra has opened up on the potential changes in PBKS after the franchise appointed Ricky Ponting as Punjab Kings Head coach for the IPL 2025.
The franchise that finished ninth in IPL 2024, has struggled to clinch a title in the league and has also undergone numerous changes in leadership and strategy. With Ponting at the helm, expectations are high for a turnaround in the team’s fortunes.
With Ponting taking over the franchise, expectations are high for a turnaround in franchise fortunes. Chopra predicted that the team might witness a significant shift in the composition.
“What will you expect from Ricky Ponting? Firstly, I feel the gathering of English players there will be removed. Everyone will be sent, those bought for 18 crores or 12 crores.”
“You won’t have so many English players there now. Now there will be some change there. Now you will have Australian players there,” said Aakash Chopra on his YouTube channel.
The former India opener has also mentioned that there are chances for Delhi camp’s coaching staff might be seen working under Ponting in the Punjab-based franchise.
“You will find that the Australian players in the Delhi Capitals camp will be released and some of them will become a part of Ricky Ponting’s Punjab Kings. I am not saying he is biased but wherever you see Ricky, you find a slightly bigger Australian contingent there because he knows them well,” Chopra added.
Meanwhile, the franchise will be gearing up to find a potential candidate to replace Indian opener Shikhar Dhawan who announced his international retirement.
“One more thing will change, that is the number of captains that have been made. They have had 16 captains and the 17th one will be made this year. It means the captain has been changed in almost every season. Now since Shikhar Dhawan has taken retirement, they will search for a new captain,” Chopra further added.
The commentator has also pointed out the team’s struggles over the years as they failed to qualify for playoffs since the 2014 season.
“Change is the only constant but the only thing that hasn’t changed is their fortunes. They have reached the playoffs and the final but have never lifted the trophy.”
“Have they not won the trophy because they made so many changes or they are forced to make changes because they have not won the trophy – it’s the chicken and egg situation. Ricky Ponting is their 11th coach,” he observed.
Meanwhile, BCCI has delayed the announcement of retention rules ahead of the auction. With the IPL 2025 mega auction date and Venue yet to be announced, the event is set to be hosted in London or UAE and is likely to be a day process, unlike previous IPL auctions.
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