IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting, Shreyas Iyer Set ‘Punjab Kings’ Eyes On Trophy In Season 18

March 19, 2025: With the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League (IPL) just around the corner, Punjab Kings (PBKS) are ready to kick off the season with renewed enthusiasm and determination. On Tuesday, March 18, the franchise held its season launch press conference where Head Coach Ricky Ponting, Captain Shreyas Iyer, and CEO Satish Menon discussed the team’s plans, goals, and preparations for the upcoming season.

Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, spoke highly of Shreyas Iyer’s leadership qualities and expressed his excitement about working with the talented player. “He’s a great human being and an IPL-winning captain. We couldn’t have asked for more. Shreyas has just joined the camp a couple of days ago, but he’s already starting to make his mark on the team as a leader. This will only evolve as we get closer to our first game,” said Ponting, reflecting on the captain’s role in the team’s strategy.\

The coach also shared his satisfaction with the team’s squad composition, highlighting the right mix of youth and experience. “We have a really good blend of high-quality Indian players and some excellent overseas talent,” Ponting added. The squad had its first training session the previous evening, and Ponting was thrilled with the team’s performance during the session. “The boys are training really well,” he said.

Shreyas Iyer, the IPL-winning captain, expressed his enthusiasm about working again with Ponting and emphasized the positive impact the coach has had on him. “When I worked with him for the first time, he made me feel like I was a great player and capable of excelling in this format. The confidence he instills in a player is something special,” Iyer stated, acknowledging the strong bond between him and Ponting.

Looking ahead to the IPL season, Iyer shared the team’s ultimate objective for the year. “Our goal is to win the trophy—that’s our mindset right now. It’s a step-by-step process. It’s not like you wake up and do it. But the way we’re practicing, the camaraderie we share, it’s going really well,” Iyer said, adding that the team’s preparations are in full swing.

CEO Satish Menon also provided insight into the team’s overall structure and plans for the upcoming season. “The team is fearless, especially the youngsters. We have a great coach in Ponting and an IPL-winning captain in Shreyas. I don’t think you can get better than that. We’ve also focused on building the Punjab brand, and that’s why we have so many players from the state in our squad,” Menon said.

The first match of Punjab Kings’ IPL 18 campaign will take place on March 25, against Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad. After that, the team will return to their home ground, the New PCA Stadium in New Chandigarh, where they’ll play two consecutive home games against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.

With an exciting season ahead, Punjab Kings are poised to make a strong impact, aiming for the ultimate prize—the IPL trophy. The combination of strong leadership, seasoned experience, and youthful energy could prove to be a winning formula for the team in IPL 18.