Adam Gilchrist opens a disgusting Punjab Kings' Pandora Box right before IPL 2025

Legendary Australia cricketer Adam Gilchrist slammed the ownership of Punjab Kings and labeled them as one of the reasons why the team hasn't done so far in the Indian Premier League.

Adam Gilchrist was highly critical of the Kings' higher management and revealed how they used to interfere when he was the team's captain. Gilchrist led the Punjab Kings from 2011 to 2013 but couldn't change the team's fortunes during this tenure.

Punjab Kings, who were Kings XI Punjab back then, finished fifth in the 2011 edition of IPL and came sixth in 2012 and 2013. Gilchrist finally retired from the game at the end of IPL 2013 to mark an end to an illustrious career.

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Adam Gilchrist slams Punjab Kings' ownership

While speaking on Club Prairie Fire's YouTube channel, Adam Gilchrist slammed the ownership of Punjab Kings while recalling the time when he was the captain of the team. He remembered that the higher management would always act as a handbrake during his decision-making which didn't go down well.

"There’s still the same ownership when I was the captain of that particular franchise, and it was somewhat erratic at times, and that might be the handbrake for them for a long while," Gilchrist said on the show.

Gilchrist is an IPL-winning captain as he led Deccan Chargers to the title in the tournament's 2009 edition. Seeing his accomplishments, he was roped in as Punjab;s captain in 2011. However, it didn't turn the team's fortunes as their struggles continued.

Punjab Kings is jointly owned by Mohit Burman, Ness Wadia, Preity Zinta and Karan Paul. It was known as Kings XI Punjab back in 2013 but the ownership decided to change the name in 2021 in an attempt to change the fortunes. However, there was no change in the team's performance.

Adam Gilchrist backs Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer

Further speaking on the show, Adam Gilchrist backed the combination of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer to take the team to higher levels. He even picked Iyer to win the Orange Cap this season and backed Ponting to settle the team's problems.

“I think the combination of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer will inspire that franchise. They have worked well together previously and that’s going to be the cohesive gel to bring their ownership together. But I think Ricky will settle the ship,” Gilchrist reckoned.

“Shreyas Iyer is going to be my Orange Cap wearer by the end of it. He is going to bat at number three. He has been talking about it and he is shifting up the order and taking on the leadership role for them,” the former Australia wicketkeeper added.

PBKS' revamped team management

Punjab Kings have revamped their management and brought in Ricky Ponting as their head coach. They also signed Shreyas Iyer for a massive amount of INR 26.75 crore in the auction and immediately made him the captain.

Under Iyer's captaincy, KKR won the IPL 2024 title last year. Punjab Kings will open their IPL 2025 campaign on March 25 against Gujarat Titans at Ahmedabad. It remains to be seen how they perform under a new team management and captain.