IPL 2025: Ponting To Join Punjab Kings As Head Coach, Say Sources

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by Shambhu Datta Mishra

NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Once the deal will be finalised, Ponting will become the sixth head coach in seven seasons for the Punjab Kings

Earlier this year in July, Ponting’s seven-year association with the Delhi Capitals had come to an end after the side failed to enter IPL 2024 playoffs

Ponting was with Mumbai Indians in an advisory role in 2014, before becoming their head coach in 2015 and 2016 seasons

New Delhi, Sept 18: Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting will join the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS) as their head coach ahead of the mega auction for the 2025 season of the tournament.

"He is coming on board. We are waiting for further details. Official statement will be released soon," a source in the franchise told IANS.

Once the deal will be finalised, Ponting will become the sixth head coach in seven seasons for the Punjab Kings, who finished ninth in the 2024 season and chose to part ways with head coach Trevor Bayliss.

Earlier this year in July, Ponting’s seven-year association with the Delhi Capitals had come to an end after the side failed to enter IPL 2024 playoffs, where they won and lost seven games each.

Under the Australian’s leadership, DC had reached the playoffs in three seasons - 2019, 2020 and 2021, while becoming known for his insightful coaching skills, nurturing youngsters and forming a good relationship with captain Rishabh Pant.

In 2020, DC had reached their first-ever IPL final, where they finished runners-up to Mumbai Indians. On the other hand, PBKS have not qualified for the IPL playoffs since 2014, when they finished runners-up to Kolkata Knight Riders.

Ponting had stints in the IPL with KKR and Mumbai Indians as a player till 2013. He was the with Mumbai Indians in an advisory role in 2014, before becoming their head coach in 2015 and 2016 seasons. Recently, Ponting was head coach during Washington Freedom's title-winning campaign in the 2024 season of Major League Cricket (MLC) in the USA.

(IANS)

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1st Test: Ashwin-Jadeja Rearguard Act Helps India Reach 339/6 Against Bangladesh

by Shambhu Datta Mishra

Chennai, Sept 19: An unbeaten 195-run partnership between Ravichandran Ashwin, who hit his sixth Test century, and Ravindra Jadeja was the perfect rearguard act India needed to get out of trouble and reach 339/6 in 80 overs at stumps on day one of the series opener against Bangladesh at the MA Chidambaram Stadium Thursday.

In the mid of the second session, India were in a hole at 144/6, before Ashwin (102 not out) and Jadeja (86 not out) ensured India were not just out of trouble but also came out with an advantage and swing day one in their favour.

The fightback from the two veteran spin-bowling all-rounders meant India made 163 runs without losing a wicket in the final session.

Ashwin also notched up his second Test century at his home ground after the 2021 clash against England, which is also his fastest hundred in the longer format for India.

Post lunch, India’s run-scoring spree continued as Jadeja pulled Hasan Mahmud for six, while Ashwin got a fat outside edge running for four and unleashed a neat cover drive off the pacer for two boundaries.

Jadeja welcomed Shakib Al Hasan with a sweep for four, while Ashwin slog-swept him for six. Shakib continued to get attacked as Jadeja slog-swept and then hit a straight drive to collect consecutive fours. Ashwin brought out a glorious on-drive off Nahid Rana for four and survived a short bouncer test from him to get his fifty in 58 balls.

There was no stopping the duo as Jadeja tonked Mehidy Hasan Miraz for a four while Ashwin used Nahid Rana’s pace and bounce to ramp him over the infield and then flicked him for two fours.

After Ashwin swept Shakib for four, Jadeja got his fifty and went on to pull Mehidy for a brace of boundaries, followed by him playing a lovely cover drive off Nahid through the gap for four more.

While Jadeja was pristine in his pull, slog-sweep and drive, Ashwin delighted in coming down the pitch to clobber Mehidy for six and cut Nahid for four before getting his century in 108 balls, much to the delight of the sparse Chepauk crowd, before stumps arrived.

Brief scores: India 339/6 in 80 overs (Ravichandran Ashwin 102 not out, Ravindra Jadeja 86 not out; Hasan Mahmud 4-58) against Bangladesh.

(IANS)

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MUDA: Guv Asks CS To Submit Report On Fresh Accusations Against CM

by Pabitra Mohan Senapaty

Bengaluru, Sep 19: In fresh trouble for Chief Minister Siddaramaiah, a new submission has been made against him to the Karnataka Governor involving the Mysuru Urban Development Authority (MUDA).

The fresh submission accuses him of carrying out projects worth hundreds of crores in his constituency through oral orders, violating the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act.

Governor Thaawar Chand Gehlot has sought a detailed report from Chief Secretary Shalini Rajneesh at the earliest in connection with the fresh accusations against CM Siddaramaiah, sources confirmed on Thursday.

The Governor, in his letter to the Chief Secretary dated September 5, stated that one P.S. Nataraj from Mysuru submitted a detailed representation on August 27 in this regard.

The Governor’s letter says, “P.S. Nataraj has informed that the MUDA has undertaken works worth Rs 387 crore in violation of Section 15 and 25 of the Karnataka Urban Development Authority Act, 1987 on the oral instruction of Chief Minister Siddaramaiah.”

“The works were taken up in his Assembly constituency Varuna and also in Srirangapatna Assembly constituency,” the letter says.

The petitioner alleged that in spite of non-availability of funds in the authority, a decision was taken on the oral instruction of the Chief Minister.

Further, he alleged that by doing this the authority misused its power and requested an enquiry from the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI).

“Since, the allegation is of a serious nature, it is directed to look into the matter and submit the detailed report along with documents at the earliest,” Gehlot has directed Rajneesh.

The development is likely to stir a huge controversy and be deemed as a setback to CM Siddaramaiah who is already facing accusations of alleged illegal allotment of sites to his wife by the MUDA.

The High Court of Karnataka has reserved the matter for judgment.

The BJP is demanding the CM’s resignation and the fresh accusations are going to be used by the party against CM Siddaramaiah as it plans to intensify its agitation in the state.

--IANS

IPL 2025: Ponting To Join Punjab Kings As Head Coach, Say Sources

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