Just two games into the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2026 season, but Punjab Kings look like a team possessed, a unit that is determined to repeat last season’s heroics, which saw them reach the final, and maybe go a step ahead and clinch the title this time. With Shreyas Iyer leading the team and Ricky Ponting as the head coach in the backroom staff, PBKS have emerged as the true contenders for the title this year. While there are many pieces to this jigsaw, the biggest one is arguably the coach Ponting, who has worked relentlessly behind the scenes.
Former India batter Ambati Rayudu lauded Ponting’s efforts in transforming the Punjab Kings squad. In fact, he feels, the Australian legend’s work has transformed the team into a six-hitting machine.
“A point about Ricky Ponting, I’ve made this earlier as well – he is a brilliant coach when it comes to helping batsmen hit a lot of sixes. He actually put a squash ball in my glove during games to free up the bottom hand, and that improves bat speed. And it is no surprise that Punjab have been hitting so many sixes, because he’s the head coach and has an amazing way of making you practise those six-hitting skills. I think that is one really, really important reason,” Rayudu said.
Against the Chennai Super Kings, almost all PBKS batters preferred to deal in boundaries, hitting some big sixes with absolute ease. The secret to this new six-hitting prowess in the team, as per Rayudu, is down to the work Ponting has put in the background.
“Everybody can hit sixes, but getting that bat speed through the ball is very, very important. I think that gives you a lot of confidence. And always, it’s confidence that helps you hit success more than your ability or strength. It is confidence, backed up by bat speed,” he added.
Having already impressed the cricketing world with their performances this season, Punjab Kings aren’t expected to take their foot of the gas in the coming games.
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