Chandigarh: Head coach Ricky Ponting has officially joined the Punjab Kings (PBKS) pre-season camp, delivering a powerful address to the squad as they begin their quest for a maiden Indian Premier League title. Following a heartbreaking six-run loss to Royal Challengers Bengaluru in the 2025 final, PBKS is looking to go one step further this year. The team is scheduled to kick off its IPL 2026 season against the 2022 champions, Gujarat Titans, at the New Chandigarh stadium on March 31.
During a high-intensity training session, Ponting emphasized the importance of mental and technical preparation, urging players to focus on the “process” rather than fearing individual errors. “This is about getting ourselves physically, technically, and mentally right for that first game,” Ponting stated in a press release. He reminded the roster of the collective strength that made them a formidable unit last season under the captaincy of Shreyas Iyer. The coach was candid about the inevitability of mistakes, noting that dropping a catch or playing a poor shot is simply “part of the game” as long as players remain committed to the established game plan.
The PBKS squad for 2026 features a robust mix of retained stars and strategic new acquisitions. Key players such as Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, Marcus Stoinis, and Yuzvendra Chahal form the core of the team, supported by international talents like Lockie Ferguson, Marco Jansen, and Xavier Bartlett. The franchise also made notable moves in the recent auction, securing young talent like Cooper Connolly and bolstering their bowling depth with Ben Dwarshuis and Pravin Dubey. As the countdown to the season opener begins, the focus in the PBKS camp remains firmly on building the resilience needed to erase the memories of last year’s narrow defeat at Ahmedabad.
