New Delhi: They might have fallen short in the final but Punjab Kings reached their first title round in the IPL since 2014 and co-owner Mohit Burman credited head coach Ricky Ponting for transforming their fortunes.
Punjab brought in a lot of new players at the auction, including Shreyas Iyer Rs 26.75 crore, who was later appointed the captain. Ponting was brought in as head coach, who was reunited with Iyer again.
Ponting and Iyer has earlier guided Delhi Capitals to the final in 2020 and they joined hands again to build a new set-up, which took Punjab to final where they went down to Royal Challengers Bengaluru.
“The real turning point came when we took a step back to think the direction of the franchise. Getting Ricky Ponting on board was the first step in our revamp. His arrival transformed the energy — and the mindset,” Burman told PTI.
“Then came the auction, where we made strategic choice on balance, clarity, and intent. Backing Shreyas as captain was another big moment — he brought composure, vision, and a sense of Unity.
“They didn’t just see Punjab Kings as a franchise. They saw it as a project with potential. There’s no hierarchy here — just one team, moving toward one goal. That’s a powerful thing.
“Off the field, we rewired everything — from marketing and storytelling to fan engagement. Commercially, we’ve seen strong growth. But what I’m most proud of is the culture — one rooted in belief, joy, and accountability. That’s been the true foundation of the success,” he added.
‘IPL needs a 12-16 week window’
Burman felt IPL’s growing brand value ($16.8 million) demands an operating window of 12-16 weeks to be on level terms with other sporting leagues like the NFL (36.8 million).
“We’re already second in the world when it comes to per-match value, just behind the NFL. But overall brand value? That’s a different game. I think we need a 12-16-week window to get there,” Burman said.
“That gives us space to tell better stories, build rivalries, and create more value for everyone – fans, sponsors, broadcasters. But it’s not just about length.
“It’s about what we do in that time – the kind of content we push out, how we engage fans year-round, how we build the league beyond the season. IPL has the scale. Now it’s about consistency and depth.”
The IPL is the biggest money spinning cricket event in the world but the BCCI shouldn’t take this position for granted, said Burman.
“The IPL is already the biggest cricket product in the world, but staying there means not taking anything for granted. Player availability is crucial. We need a clean window where the best in the world can play without restrictions,” he said.
Punjab Kings reached the final of IPL 2025 where they went down to Royal Chalengers Bengaluru Cricket Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
