IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting convinced Australia players to stay back in India at last moment, reveals Punjab Kings CEO

Ricky Ponting is the head coach of Punjab Kings in IPL 2025.

The Board of Control for cricket in India (BCCI) suspended Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 due to security concerns on Friday, May 9. As soon as IPL 2025 was suspended due to military tensions between India and Pakistan, many foreign players decided to fly back to their home countries.

On Thursday, May 8, the Punjab Kings (PBKS) vs Delhi Capitals (DC) clash at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Stadium (HPCA) in Dharamsala was halted midway due to technical issues inside the stadium. Later, players, umpires, match officials, broadcast crew, and even spectators were evacuated from the stadium due to security issues.

Since the flight travels were affected in Dharamsala, BCCI organized a special train to bring back PBKS and DC players safely to Delhi. As there were no confirmed updates on when IPL 2025 would resume, foreign players of PBKS team decided to fly back to their home countries. However, PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting convinced Australia players to stay back in India.

Ricky Ponting convinced Australia players to stay back

Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon has revealed how Ponting convinced Australia players to stay back in India at the last moment. Notably, PBKS’ Australia crew, including head coach Ponting, were scheduled to take the flight back home on Saturday, May 10.

They also boarded the flight to Australia. However, Ponting convinced some players to stay back in India at the very last moment after the ceasefire was announced between India and Pakistan.

“The foreign players are not used to something like this. 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 official was quoted as saying by PTI.

“It shows Ponting’s character. Only he could have pulled that off,” PBKS CEO Menon told PTI.

Notably, Ponting convinced PBKS members Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett to stay back in India. However, Marcus Stoinis has left for Australia.

Marco Jansen is another crucial foreign member in PBKS team. He has returned to South Africa, however, he is currently transiting in Dubai and might return soon when the tournament is resumed.

Meanwhile, Shreyas Iyer-led PBKS has been a strong side in IPL 2025. They take the third spot in the points table with 15 points. They have four more games to play in the tournament and need one more victory to seal their berth in the playoffs. No team has so far booked berth in the playoffs.

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