"Iyer, Arshdeep and Chahal were non-negotiables for me": PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting on team set-up for IPL 2025

Promising that the season will indeed see a big change, Ponting said as quoted by a PBKS press release, "It's going to be really different this year with the way that we are perceived, the way we present ourselves, the way that we train, the way that we play, and the way that we are led. Everything is going to be different from the previous years."

Punjab has built a strong squad this season with the IPL and Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy-winning Captain Shreyas Iyer set to lead the franchise this season. The addition of veteran Indian talent such as Yuzvendra Chahal along with the decision to bring back young speedster Arshdeep Singh further sets up the franchise for success.

Ponting further revealed that his vision was to bring in the right combination of Indian talent, which influenced his decision to acquire star players like Iyer, Arshdeep, and Chahal.

"There were three players that I wanted to bring in. One who has been at Punjab Kings for three or four years--Arshdeep Singh. I also wanted to bring in a captain who I have worked with before and who has had a lot of success. So, we went after Shreyas Iyer. I also wanted to bring in Yuzi. So the Indian guys that we have are perfect," he said.

"And then, we had to make a few tweaks as the auction went on to make sure we ended up with a really good squad. I am trying to make things different and rebuild and have the right people around me. But these three were non-negotiables," the former Aussie international added.

The management's decision to retain uncapped Indian players Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh further highlights their continued faith and push for the young Indian players.

"It's not so much about the overseas guys. The overseas guys create a lot of hype, and they go for a lot of money or whatever. But as far as I am concerned, I needed to bring the right Indian players back into the tent," Ponting said.

Ponting also delved deeper into his large fandom among the Indian population and explained the reasons behind the same. "When you're in India, on most flights or when you check into a hotel, there are so many people around trying to have a picture or they wish to grab your bag to drop into your room. But it's part and parcel of an Australian cricketer's life when you visit India," he said as the PBKS press release added.

"You appreciate it more when you understand how much it means to them. There are people of all different ages. I think doing commentary gigs in India has allowed a lot of that, as I have spent a lot of time in the country now. I have also been able to work with a lot of players who have talked reasonably highly about me in the media. I think people have learned a lot more about me since my playing days," Ponting signed off. (ANI)