October 7, 2024

‘Want To Repay The Fans’: Ricky Ponting Hopes For Smooth Stint With PBKS In The IPL

Ricky Ponting has been appointed as the new head coach of Punjab Kings on a four-year contract, granting him full freedom to lead the team. The announcement came on Wednesday, as the franchise prepares for the upcoming IPL season. Ponting, a former Australian captain, previously worked with Delhi Capitals until the end of the IPL 2024 season. He replaces Trevor Bayliss in his new role.

Expressing his enthusiasm for the position, Ponting emphasized his desire to repay the trust that fans have shown towards the Punjab-based team over the years.

“I am grateful to Punjab Kings for presenting me with the opportunity to be the new Head Coach. I am excited to take up the new challenge. I had great conversations with the owners and the management about the way forward and was truly elated to see the alignment of our visions for the team. We all want to repay the fans who have stayed with the franchise over the years and we promise that they will see a much different Punjab Kings going forward,” said Ponting.

Ricky Ponting has joined Punjab Kings on a four-year contract, aiming to bring stability to the team as he becomes their sixth head coach in seven seasons. The franchise has struggled in recent years, reaching the playoffs only twice, with a disappointing ninth-place finish in the 2024 season.

Ponting’s IPL journey began as a player, first with Kolkata Knight Riders and later with Mumbai Indians, where he transitioned from captain to coach. He served as the head coach of Delhi Capitals from 2018 to 2023, leading the team to the playoffs three times during his tenure.

Read More: IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting Appointed As Head Coach For Punjab Kings

IPL 2025: Vikram Rathour Joins Coach Rahul Dravid At Rajasthan Royals

Vikram Rathour, who played six Tests and seven ODIs for India, served as the national team’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024. He has now joined the Rajasthan Royals as their new batting coach. In this role, Rathour will work alongside former India player Rahul Dravid, with whom he previously collaborated during their time with the Indian team.

“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.

Vikram Rathour played six Tests and seven One Day Internationals (ODIs) for India before becoming the national team’s batting coach from 2019 to 2024.

“Having worked closely with Vikram for many years, I can confidently say that his technical expertise, calm demeanor, 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, RR’s head coach.

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Before joining the Indian team as their batting coach, Vikram Rathour served as a national selector for four years. He also coached Punjab and Himachal Pradesh in domestic cricket and worked with Punjab Kings in the IPL. Following this, former Indian players Gautam Gambhir and Abhishek Nayar took over the coaching roles, replacing Dravid and Rathour. They are currently coaching the Indian team for the ongoing Test series against Bangladesh.

Under Sanju Samson’s leadership, the Rajasthan Royals finished third in IPL 2024, reaching the playoffs for the second time in three years. For the latest updates and breaking news, stay tuned to Zee News for all the important headlines in India and worldwide.

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