Jeddah, Saudi Arabia).
Ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction, Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting said he aims to make the franchise one of the powerhouses in the 10-team tournament. Punjab Kings have retained the uncapped pair of wicketkeeper-opener Prabhsimran Singh and middle-order batsman Shashank Singh. They enter the auction with a purse of Rs 110.5 crore, the largest among all ten IPL teams.
Two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain Ponting told broadcaster Star Sports, “I have been fortunate to be with some successful teams. So for a few years in Mumbai and then Delhi, where we performed well to make it to the playoffs there. And I like the look of some of the young players in the Punjab Kings lineup.”
“So that was really the highlight, but mainly, it was, pretty much, being able to start from scratch,” Ponting said. The aim is to build the franchise into one of the powerhouses of the IPL and make it a really dynamic, fun environment that everyone wants to be a part of.” He also highlighted the important aspects for a successful auction from his point of view. “I think there are three most important things to a successful auction. One is definitely to make sure you stick to your strategy and not give up so quickly.”
“I think it’s also really important to be calm and clear at the auction table,” he said. And then communication that day because, you know, you’re working with analysts, you’re working with your bosses. “Communication is important.” Ten teams will compete in the two-day IPL 2025 mega auction to fill 204 slots out of a pool of 577 players, of which 70 available slots will be for overseas players.