'Team aims to understand their home conditions'- PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting on improving performance at home

The Punjab Kings (PBKS) will be going into the tournament with a new squad full of some stars in hopes of making a comeback this season. Current PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting reveals what went wrong for the team last season and what they will be doing to improve it going forward in the tournament. 

The PBKS team finished ninth last season where they won only five out of the 14 games they played. The team not only has built a new core but has also got a new skipper in Shreyas Iyer who was bought at 26.75 crores by the franchise. Since the franchise has not been able to win a single trophy in the tournament, coach Ponting revealed one of the reasons to be their poor record at home and said there will be practice games and training camps at the venue to make sure the players understand the conditions well. He also revealed how this can help in picking the perfect playing XI as well.

“We have lost matches at home last year, team aims to understand their home conditions better with training camps and practice games, focusing on creating new memories and winning games at home,” Ponting said at a press conference. 

“Choosing the playing eleven won’t be easy with our talented players. We have two practice games to help us decide. We want competition for spots, ensuring everyone works hard,” The former Australia cricketer added. 

Also Read: 'My goal is to lift the trophy' - Shreyas Iyer shares vision for IPL 2025

I wanted a big change when I was appointed: Ponting 

Ponting also showed confidence in the squad he has picked this season where apart from Iyer the team also features the likes of star India star leg spinner Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh. These three were one of the most expensive players from the auction and Ponting has mentioned the reason behind picking them in a squad. 

“I wanted a big change when I was appointed head coach. Our auction strategy focused on bringing key players like Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep, and Yuzi Chahal to rebuild the team from the bottom up,” Ponting answered.