New Delhi: Punjab Kings (PBKS) CEO Satish Menon revealed how head coach Ricky Ponting decided to stay back in India himself, and also convinced some of the overseas players not to leave for home after India and Pakistan announced a ceasefire on Saturday. Ponting had reportedly boarded the plane to return home but got off after a ceasefire was confirmed.
Overseas players of all ten franchises started leaving for their respective countries on Friday after the BCCI announced that the IPL 2025 was suspended for a week in the wake of the escalating tensions between India and Pakistan. PBKS’ foreign players were also set to head back home but some of them were convinced to stay back by Ponting.
As per a report in PTI, Australian players like Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett, who are part of the Punjab Kings squad, were anxious amid the rising border tensions between India and Pakistan. However, Ponting gave them a pep talk to calm down the situation while asking them to stay put. PBKS CEO Menon confirmed the same and lauded Ponting for his character.
“It shows Ponting’s character. Only he could have pulled that off,” Punjab Kings CEO Menon was quoted as saying by PTI.
IPL 2025 was called off on Friday, a day after the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals was called off at the HPCA Stadium in Dharamshala following an attack on the Pathankot airbase. The players, fans and support staff were all evacuated from the stadium after the game was called off midway. PBKS later travelled to Delhi in a special train arranged by the BCCI and the Indian railways.
‘Ponting convinced the players to stay after ceasefire’
Like many other franchises, overseas players in the PBKS squad were also preparing to head back home after IPL 2025’s suspension. However, Ponting convinced them to stay back, changing their minds in the very last minute. The players had even boarded the flight but decided to stay with Ponting.
“The foreign players are not used to something like this (war like situation). So, it was natural for them to feel anxious. Led by Stoinis, they all wanted to leave at the earliest and understandably so. But Ponting has convinced them to stay back post ceasefire, which I think is remarkable,” a PBKS source was quoted as saying by PTI.
However, PBKS’ Aussie duo of Marcus Stoinis and Josh Inglis flew back home alongside South African all-rounder Marco Jansen. Meanwhile, all ten IPL franchise have been asked to prepare travel plans for their overseas players as the BCCI is reportedly planning to resume IPL 2025 next week after India and Pakistan announced ceasefire, bringing an end to tensions on the border.
Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon revealed head coach Ricky Ponting decided to stay back in India and convinced some overseas players to stay back with him after a ceasefire was announced by India and Pakistan. IPL Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
