The intense environment of IPL 2026 was on full display at Mullanpur on Sunday, April 19, as Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting was seen fuming in the dugout.
The Australian legend’s frustration boiled over during the 18th over of the clash against Lucknow Super Giants (LSG), when fielder Shashank Singh produced a surprisingly sloppy effort on the boundary. Chasing a massive total, LSG’s Aiden Markram lofted a ball toward deep point where Shashank, seemingly misjudging the trajectory, failed to even attempt a catch. The ball landed on the boundary skirting for a six, leaving both bowler Arshdeep Singh and Ponting visibly irate.
The viral video shows Shashank appearing hesitant, likely due to a dropped catch earlier in the game. He seemingly believed the ball had already cleared the ropes and didn’t put in the dive or reach required to secure the wicket. For a coach like Ponting, who was renowned for his elite fielding during his playing days, the lack of effort was clearly a sticking point. However, the tension didn’t last long past the final whistle. In a testament to the strong team culture at PBKS, Ponting was later seen sharing a warm hug with Shashank, while captain Shreyas Iyer playfully tried to “hide” Shashank from the coach’s lingering “death stare.”
Despite the momentary lapse in the field, the mood in the Punjab camp remains overwhelmingly positive. Under Ponting’s mentorship, the Kings have enjoyed a historic start to the season, remaining unbeaten in their first six matches.
This winning streak has been fueled by the explosive batting of youngsters like Priyansh Arya and Cooper Connolly, who set the foundation for the team’s dominant position at the top of the points table. The team’s ability to balance high-pressure coaching with lighthearted camaraderie, as seen with “Sarpanch” Shreyas Iyer’s antics, has made them the most talked-about unit this year.