Punjab Kings are determined to turn their fortunes around in the Indian Premier League (IPL), with head coach Ricky Ponting not only targeting a maiden title but also aiming to build the best Punjab Kings team in history.
With Ponting at the helm and last season’s IPL-winning captain Shreyas Iyer taking over as skipper, the franchise is eyeing a fresh start. Their campaign begins on March 25 in Ahmedabad against Gujarat Titans.
“The overall vision for this team is to win the IPL,” Ponting said in a release from the franchise. “On the very first day of the camp in Dharamshala, I told the players that we are going to create and become the greatest Punjab Kings team that's ever played.”
“That's the journey that we're on and that doesn't happen overnight. You've got to create that,” he said.
Ponting underlined the significance of a winning mentality, asserting that his team must never allow opponents to gain the upper hand.
“Winning comes down to attitude. When we step onto the field, it should never feel like the opposition is taking something away from us. I don’t want to give an inch, and I expect the same from my team,” Ponting said. He also placed his faith in young, uncapped Indian talents, naming Delhi’s Priyansh Arya along with Mumbai’s Suryansh Shedge and Musheer Khan as players to watch this season.
“Priyansh Arya, I think is a very special potential opening batsman for us going forward in the tournament. Depending on which way we go with our overseas make-up, he's very exciting. Suryansh Shedge is also someone who has been very impressive in our training so far,” he said.
“When I talk about energy and fun, another player that I am impressed with, is Musheer Khan. He's brought a lot to the group already. He has got an infectious attitude, and around the training ground and around the team so far, he's been someone that I've really enjoyed working with.”
Ponting also emphasised on the senior players setting the right example for youngsters.
“I put a lot of the bait on them to ensure that they're setting the right example,” he said.
"Because a lot of the young domestic Indian players look up to the overseas boys and if the overseas boys aren't doing the right thing, then it's easy for the young Indian guys to not do the right thing either. So I empower the overseas guys to be the leaders and lead the way,” added the former Australia captain.
