Ponting revals reason behind joining Punjab Kings, hopeful about winning title

Indian Premier League outfit Punjab Kings newlyappointed head coach Ricky Ponting admitted that he was in talks with other franchises but it was Project Punjab that eventually attracted himOn Wednesday the Punjab Kings announced Pontings appointment as head coach The former Australia skipper will assume charge for IPL 2025 and beyondPonting revealed that he was in touch with a few teams but he saw the culture of constant changes in the coaches as a challenge to take upYes I was talking to a few teams but it was Project Punjab which attracted me It is a team that hasnt had a lot of success over a long period of time a team thats 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 said as quoted from ESPNcricifnoI mean theres no doubting over the years that the Kings have had good players have had good teams They just havent been able to win it yet I have a longishterm deal there and hopefully during that period of time we can win the IPL 2025 he addedAlso ReadAfghanistan make history beat South Africa in 2nd ODI to win threematch seriesPonting is the third head coach in four seasons for the Punjab Kings who finished ninth in the 2024 IPL season The team has not reached the playoffs since 2014 when they were runnersupAfter his playing days in the cashrich league ended in 2018 Ponting took over as head coach of the Delhi Capitals During his reign he guided them to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2021 including their maiden final in 2020After his tenure with the Delhi Capitals ended in July 2024 Ponting led the Washington Freedom to a titlewinning campaign in the Major League Cricket MLCPonting admitted that he was disappointed about his time ending with the Delhi Capitals after seven years that he spent with the franchiseYeah Im very happy to be back in the IPL Its been such a big part of my life its been ten or 11 years now that I have been going to the IPL The thing that keeps drawing me back is the level of cricket and the quality of players you get to work with Obviously I was disappointed to finish with DC after the seven years there but I understand all the reasoning behind that he saidBut now this opportunitys come up with Kings I see this as a real coaching challenge Its almost like a coaching project for me and having spoken to the management and the owners they understand the path I want to head on And we are aligned really well so far he addedWith agency inputs