'Don't know why they chose those dates' - Ricky Ponting displeased with IPL Auction clash with Perth Test

The Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction is set to take place in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia on November 24 and 25. Meanwhile, the first Test between India and Australia gets underway on November 22 in Perth. The scheduling clash has not been well received by the legendary Ricky Ponting as it has forced him, Justin Langer, and key personnel like Australia's bowling coach Daniel Vettori to prioritize their IPL commitments over the important series-opener.

The highly-anticipated IPL auction will see Ponting (head coach of Punjab Kings), Langer (coach of Lucknow Super Giants), and Vettori (coach of Sunrisers Hyderabad) absent from considerable portions of the Perth Test. Ponting and Langer will only be available for the opening day of commentary with Channel Seven before making the trip to Saudi Arabia.

Ponting expressed his disappointment with the scheduling clash, saying that he felt the auction should have been held in the gap between two Test matches. Interestingly, there is a considerable gap between the first and second Tests. The second Test commences on December 6 in Adelaide.

"It's the worst possible case scenario for me and 'JL'. We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there are a lot of players in both teams in the auction," Ponting told Sydney Morning Herald.

"We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there are a lot of players in both teams in the auction. So I always thought it would've been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody," he added.

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The former Australia captain revealed details about his travel plans as he tries to balance his commentary and coaching commitments.

"But I don't know why they've chosen the dates they have - it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast. I'm calling the first day, then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we're going through our auction, we'll see when I can return. Hopefully I'll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I'll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide," Ponting stated.