New Delhi [India]: Punjab Kings emerged from the IPL 2025 auction, held on November 24-25 in Jeddah, with a balanced and dynamic squad designed to compete for the championship. Under the guidance of new head coach Ricky Ponting, the franchise has built a team blending experienced IPL stars, international powerhouses, and promising young talent.
Star Indian Core and International Power
The franchise retained a strong Indian core, featuring Arshdeep Singh, Shreyas Iyer, Yuzvendra Chahal, and Harpreet Brar. They bolstered the lineup with international stars Glenn Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Marco Jansen, and Lockie Ferguson, ensuring a mix of versatility and impact players.
Talented domestic players like Suryansh Shedge, Pyla Avinash, Musheer Khan, Harnoor Pannu, Pravin Dubey, and Priyansh Arya were also added, reflecting Punjab Kings’ focus on building a sustainable and competitive team for the future.
Coach Ricky Ponting on the Auction Strategy
Ponting praised the efforts of the scouting and management teams in identifying the right players:
“We have brought some of the best young Indian talent into our group, which is very exciting. Our scouts have worked really hard to ensure the auctions went exactly as planned,” said Ponting in a statement.
He defended the team’s focus on Australian players, noting the value they bring to the squad:
“We have five Aussies in our overseas slots, but each of them perfectly fits the roles we needed. It’s great to have Stoinis and Maxwell back, while newcomers like Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, and Josh Inglis bring fresh excitement,” he added.
Key Highlights of the Squad
Ponting emphasized the importance of quality all-rounders:
“World-class all-rounders like Azmatullah Omarzai, Marco Jansen, and Hardie add balance and stability to the team. I couldn’t be happier with how the auction turned out,” he said.
The team filled all their available slots, securing a full quota of players, including eight overseas stars.
Excitement for the Upcoming Season
Ponting made it clear that Punjab Kings are aiming high this season:
“Now that the auction is done, the hard work begins. It’s over to me and the coaching staff to ensure we’re ready in March to win the IPL.”
With a revamped squad and a clear vision, Punjab Kings aim to make a significant impact in IPL 2025, building on their fresh approach under the legendary Ricky Ponting’s leadership.