Former India batter Manoj Tiwary criticizes PBKS coach Ricky Ponting for favoring overseas players over in-form Indian talent, warning it could cost the team the IPL title.
April 27, 2025: New Delhi:
Former India cricketer Manoj Tiwary launched a stinging attack on Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting, accusing him of showing bias towards foreign players over local Indian talent during PBKS’s IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR).
Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Tiwary expressed frustration over PBKS’s batting strategy, particularly the decision to promote Glenn Maxwell at No. 4 and Marco Jansen at No. 5, ahead of in-form Indians Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh.
“My gut feeling says that Punjab team will not be able to win the #IPL trophy this season because… the coach didn’t send Indian in-form batters Nehal Wadhera and Shashank Singh, instead he trusted his foreign players to deliver, but they couldn’t,” Tiwary posted.
My gut feeling says that punjab team will not be able to win the #IPL trophy this season because what I saw today when they were batting was, the coach didn’t send Indian inform batters Nehal wadera and Shasank singh, instead he trusted his foreign players to deliver, but they…
— MANOJ TIWARY (@tiwarymanoj) April 26, 2025
He warned that if Ponting continues to show lack of faith in Indian players, PBKS would struggle to lift the trophy, even if they qualify in the Top 2.
Also Read: IPL 2025: Ambati Rayudu Says “MS Dhoni Already Focused on Rebuilding CSK for Next Season”
About the Match:
- PBKS put up a strong total of 201/4 thanks to explosive half-centuries from Prabhsimran Singh and Priyansh Arya.
- However, rain played spoilsport at Eden Gardens after KKR reached 7/0 in one over.
- A sudden thunderstorm blew covers into the stands and left the ground waterlogged, leading to the match being officially called off after nearly 90 minutes of waiting.
- Both teams shared one point each.
Points Table Update:
- KKR: 7 points from 9 matches (7th place)
- PBKS: 11 points from 9 matches
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Manoj Tiwary vs Ricky Ponting, Punjab Kings controversy, IPL 2025 news, PBKS batting order, IPL rain affected matches, PBKS vs KKR, Prabhsimran Singh, Priyansh Arya, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, Punjab Kings strategy