 head coach Ricky Ponting has recently expressed frustration over the clash between IPL 2025 and PSL 10.){kind=link}
The IPL 2025 season has brought its fair share of drama, but the latest twist has an interesting subplot—a scheduling clash between two of the world’s biggest T20 leagues. And this time, it’s Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting who’s speaking up, pointing a subtle finger at the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 for causing a bit of a headache.
Injuries Strike PBKS—and Replacements Aren’t Easy to Find
After a stinging loss to Chennai Super Kings, Ponting didn’t hold back while addressing the elephant in the room: player replacements.
With Glenn Maxwell sidelined due to a finger injury and Lockie Ferguson already ruled out with a season-ending blow, PBKS is running short on firepower—and even shorter on options.
“With the PSL happening at the same time, there’s not a lot of high-quality replacements out there, to be honest,” Ricky Ponting said candidly after the match.
That’s quite a statement—especially considering how frequently players juggle between leagues. But Ponting isn’t entirely wrong either. PSL 10 is in full swing, with stars like Shaheen Shah Afridi, Haris Rauf, and Fakhar Zaman lighting up the Gaddafi Stadium. It’s only natural that the talent pool for overseas signings has thinned out.
Patience Over Panic: PBKS Playing the Waiting Game
Ricky Ponting made it clear that Punjab hasn’t rushed into decisions just for the sake of filling slots.
“We’ve actually been a little bit patient,” he explained. “Maxi’s only been a couple of days, Lockie’s been out two or three weeks. We’re looking at Indian talent too.”
That patience could prove wise—or risky—as we approach the business end of the tournament. With teams jostling for playoff positions, every game matters, and PBKS can’t afford many missteps.
Shreyas Iyer Keeps Calm: “We’re Still Strong”
Captain Shreyas Iyer, however, remained composed when quizzed about the replacement saga during the toss.
“We haven’t decided about the replacements yet. But we’re strong in our mindset and confident in the options outside our XI,” he said.
It’s clear that PBKS is banking on squad depth and team spirit more than a quick-fix foreign signing. And to be fair, that could work. After all, the IPL has often thrown up unexpected heroes from the benches.
With foreign options limited, Ricky Ponting revealed that PBKS is now closely monitoring young Indian prospects. A couple of uncapped players have been brought along to Dharamsala, where they’ll train and be assessed.
“They might end up earning Punjab contracts. It has to be this week, before our 12th game,” Ponting added.
For these youngsters, this could be a life-changing opportunity. Imagine going from relative obscurity to sharing a dressing room with the likes of Shreyas Iyer, Kagiso Rabada, and Sam Curran. That’s the magic of the IPL.
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