‘Project Punjab’: Ricky Ponting Reveals Reason Behind Joining PBKS As Head Coach ‘Project Punjab’: Ricky Ponting Reveals Reason Behind Joining PBKS As Head Coach
‘Project Punjab’: Ricky Ponting Reveals Reason Behind Joining PBKS As Head Coach

October 9, 2024

‘Project Punjab’: Ricky Ponting Reveals Reason Behind Joining PBKS As Head Coach

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricket captain, has been appointed as the head coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS) in the Indian Premier League (IPL) as of September 18. Ponting is recognized as Australia’s all-time leading run scorer in both Tests and One Day Internationals. He previously held the position of head coach with the Delhi Capitals (DC) for seven years before parting ways with the franchise in July 2024.

Following his departure from DC, Ponting was eager to return to the IPL and found a promising opportunity with PBKS, which was actively searching for a new head coach. His extensive experience in the league includes a successful tenure as the head coach of the Mumbai Indians, where he led the team to an IPL title in 2015.

Ponting revealed that he was in discussions with several other franchises for coaching positions. However, it was the vision of “Project Punjab” that ultimately captivated him and influenced his decision to join the team co-owned by Preity Zinta. This new role marks an exciting chapter in Ponting’s coaching career as he aims to elevate PBKS in the competitive landscape of the IPL.

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Ricky Ponting on the Challenge of Leading Punjab Kings

“Yes, I was talking to a few teams, but it was ‘Project Punjab’ that attracted me. It is a team that hasn’t had a lot of success over a long period of time, a team that’s changed coaches a lot, so I saw it as a challenge. The other exciting part is that I saw some really exciting youngsters last year at Kings’ that hopefully we can attract back to the team for this season and put together a team that is going to be good enough to win the IPL,” Ponting was quoted as saying by IPLwin365.online.

“I mean, there’s no doubting over the years that the Kings have had good players and have had good teams. They just haven’t been able to win it yet. I have a longish-term deal there, and hopefully, during that period of time, we can win the IPL,” he added.

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) is one of only three teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL) that has participated in all 17 editions without ever winning a title. This franchise has struggled significantly, failing to qualify for the playoffs since 2014, highlighting a long-standing challenge in achieving success in the league.

In the 2024 IPL season, PBKS continued to face difficulties, finishing 9th in the points table. The team won only five out of 14 matches, reflecting their ongoing struggles to compete effectively within the highly competitive landscape of the IPL.

The lack of playoff appearances and recent performance underscores the need for a renewed strategy and leadership within the Punjab Kings organization. With the appointment of Ricky Ponting as head coach, the franchise hopes to turn its fortunes around and build a stronger, more competitive team for future seasons.

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Vikram Rathour Reunites with Rahul Dravid as Batting Coach in Rajasthan Royals

Former India batting coach Vikram Rathour is set to reunite with Rahul Dravid in the upcoming edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Rajasthan Royals (RR) have hired Rathour as their new batting coach after his impressive tenure with the Indian cricket team.

The Rajasthan Royals announced Rathour’s appointment through their official social media channels, highlighting the addition of his expertise to their coaching staff. This move aims to bolster the team’s batting performance as they prepare for the upcoming season.

Rathour’s experience and successful track record are expected to make a significant impact on the Royals’ strategy and player development, as the franchise looks to enhance its competitive edge in the IPL. With Rathour and Dravid working together again, fans are eager to see how their collaboration will influence the team’s performance in the tournament.

“Rathour bhi, Royal bhi! T20 World Cup winning coach Vikram Rathour joins our support staff and reunites with Rahul Dravid,” RR’s Instagram post read.

Rathour, who played six Tests and seven ODIs for India, served as Team India’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024.

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Vikram Rathour’s Vision for Rajasthan Royals and Collaboration with Rahul Dravid

“It’s a privilege to be part of the Royals family. The opportunity to work again with Rahul, and now with a talented group of young cricketers, is hugely exciting. I look forward to contributing to the team’s vision and working toward our goal of developing top-class players for the Royals and for India which can help in winning championships,” said Rathour in a statement issued by the franchise.

Royals’ newly-appointed head coach Rahul Dravid welcomed Rathour, explaining why the latter is a ‘perfect fit’ for RR in the IPL.

“Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanour, and deep understanding of Indian conditions make him a perfect fit for the Royals.

“Together, we’ve built a strong rapport, guiding India to key successes, and I’m thrilled to reunite with him. His ability to nurture young talent and elevate players’ potential will be invaluable as we aim to further strengthen our squad and continue building a world-class team here at Rajasthan Royals,” said Dravid.

Before joining the Indian team as their batting coach in 2019, Vikram Rathour served as a national selector for four years. He also gained valuable experience coaching domestic teams, including Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, and had a stint with the Punjab Kings in the IPL.

Recently, Rathour contributed to the New Zealand support staff during a one-off Test against Afghanistan in Greater Noida. Unfortunately, the match was abandoned without a single ball being bowled due to persistent rain and a wet outfield, highlighting the unpredictability of weather conditions in cricket.

Rathour’s diverse coaching experience, from domestic cricket to international teams, positions him well as he takes on his new role with the Rajasthan Royals, where he aims to enhance the team’s batting capabilities.

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author
Katarzyna Nowak

Katarzyna Nowak is a seasoned writer with over five years of experience in editorial content, news reporting, and cricket sportsbook app reviews. As an author for IPLWin365 (IPL365 News), she combines her deep understanding of the sports betting industry with a passion for cricket, delivering insightful and accurate content that keeps readers informed and engaged.