IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting tipped to end England players' Nexus in Punjab Kings
Former India cricketer Aakash Chopra had made a big prediction in the Punjab Kings squad. Chopra feels that Ponting will bring more Australian players in the squad and a no. of English players will be removed.
Punjab Kings have been one of the most underperforming teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) over the years. The team has struggled to find a rhythm in any season and hasn't even qualified for the playoffs since 2014.
The core of their overseas contingent usually constitutes a no. of England players. Jonny Bairstow, Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, and Chris Woakes were all part of the team last season. Out of these players, Bairstow, Curran, and Livingstone were a regular part of the Playing XI.
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"You won't have so many English players there" - Aakash Chopra on PBKS under Ricky Ponting
But the Kings have brought in Ricky Ponting as their head coach now. As a result, Aakash Chopra feels that Ponting might bring some more Australian players as he knows them well.
The former India opener reckons that the huge gathering of star England players will be removed in the upcoming mega auctions.
"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," Chopra reckoned.
The cricketer-turned-commentator even predicted that some of the Delhi Capitals players who will be released could find their new home in Punjab Kings. He expects Ponting to go after more and more Australian players.
"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," he added.
A no. of Australian players were a constant part of Delhi Capitals when Ricky Ponting was the head coach of the franchise. Some of those names are David Warner, Marcus Stoinis, Mitchell Marsh, Steve Smith, and Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Aakash Chopra on Punjab Kings' habit of making changes
Aakash Chopra also spoke about the Punjab Kings' constant habit of making too many changes in their team which does not allow them to settle. He spoke on the fact of Ricky Ponting becoming the 11th head coach of the franchise.
"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 make 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 said.
Ricky Ponting was appointed the head coach of Punjab Kings just a few days earlier. A final call on the rest of the coaching staff is believed to be taken by Ponting.
The legendary Australian captain will have some work to do ahead of the mega auctions as Punjab Kings aim to form a solid team from now onwards.
Before coming to Punjab Kings, Ponting was the head coach of Delhi Capitals for seven seasons in IPL.
However, he was removed from the role after the franchise failed to attain desired results from him. During his tenure, DC reached the IPL playoffs in 2019, 2020, and 2021.
