Expect destructive Punjab Kings this IPL season, says coach Ricky Ponting

Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be destructive, dynamic and determined from the very first game of the Indian Premier League (IPL) this season, stated Ricky Ponting, former Australian skipper and the new coach of the Punjab franchise.

“I have clearly told them (players), we have nothing to lose...so they shouldn’t be afraid of anything,” said Ponting at Maharaja Yadavindra International PCA Stadium in Mullanpur here today. The PBKS will be playing their first game of this IPL season against Gujarat Titans at Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad on March 25.

Ponting is looking forward to the new edition of India’s showpiece event by forgetting the past performance of the PBKS. “See, we are starting afresh, playing a new season and with a brand new quality of cricket. I wanted a really strong coaching challenge,” said the Aussie. He added, “We are having some very fine quality players. We won’t be having any excuse of not giving our best on the field and against any given team.”

The PBKS retained only two players in the 23-member squad for this season. Now having a ‘star studded’ team may put pressure on Ponting to pick the suitable 11. However, the coach is happy to have the competition within the team. “It’s good to have a competition within a group. We have 25 best and fit players, having a lot of talent. It will be exciting to pick playing 11...we have good practice sessions at Dharamsala and here (Mullanpur). We will be having two practice matches before the start of the season. Let’s see how it goes (in terms of selecting the team),” he added.

Want to bat at No. 3, with coach’s permission

Fresh from India’s Champions Trophy win, middle-order batter Shreyas Iyer joined the squad with a clear approach. Despite scoring 243 in five matches (two half centuries) at number 4 in the 50-over Champions Trophy format, Iyer wishes to bat at number 3 for the PBKS. “This time I am quite clear about the No. 3 position... as long as the coach approves of it,” said the newly appointed skipper of the team.

Iyer, who is not part of India’s T20 set-up, is looking forward to making a productive debut for the PBKS. He captained Kolkata Knight Riders to the title last season where he batted in the middle-order. “We already know that IPL is an integral part of Indian cricket. And If I would want to mark myself at some position in T20, it would be number 3,” he said.

On his previous stint with Ponting as a coach under Delhi Capitals banner, he said: “I have worked with him for almost three years. And I know how he thinks about every individual on and off the field. He supports everyone. He is very clear when it comes to planning. It feels good to work with him. He is focussed, whatever the result is.”

“The team is fearless. We have a great coach in Ponting and a great IPL-winning captain in Iyer. I don’t think you can get bigger than that. We have also focused on building our brand of Punjab and we have a lot of players from the state in our squad,” said PBKS CEO Satish Menon.

Preparations in full swing

The Mullanpur stadium is getting ready for hosting the IPL for the second time. The PBKS is scheduled to open their home season by hosting Rajasthan Royals (April 5), followed by three home games against Chennai Super Kings (April 8), Kolkata Knight Riders (April 15) and Royal Challengers Bengaluru (April 20). While the work to install canopies across the stadium over the spectators’ stand is almost on the verge of completion, the local authorities have started recarpeting the flyover connecting the stadium to both Chandigarh and Punjab.