NEW DELHI, NOV 1 : Ricky Ponting, newly-appointed head coach of Punjab Kings, has set forth an ambitious plan for the upcoming IPL season.

With only two uncapped players, Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh, retained in their roster, Punjab Kings are heading into the auction with a massive budget, aiming to build an entirely new squad.

The strategic decision to release big international names like Kagiso Rabada, Sam Curran, and India’s Arshdeep Singh is set to offer the team flexibility and control over their future squad composition.

Ponting’s vision includes a complete transformation of Punjab Kings’ on-field approach. “I want us to be the most dynamic and entertaining franchise in the IPL,” he said.

He also emphasised the introduction of new coaching staff to infuse fresh perspectives and invigorate the team culture, noting, “The main goal is to reshape this franchise from the inside out.”

Reflecting on the league-wide retentions, Ponting expressed surprise at the release of prominent Indian players like KL Rahul, Rishabh Pant, and Shreyas Iyer. He acknowledged that these decisions signal an evolving approach among franchises.

This year, teams will need to sharpen their auction strategies, targeting players with clear roles in mind and prioritizing their marquee signings.

Ponting also commented on MS Dhoni’s retention with Chennai Super Kings, praising Dhoni’s enduring leadership, regardless of his on-field role, and hinting that Dhoni might play a more limited but impactful role in the season.

With Punjab Kings set to go big at the auction, all eyes will be on how Ponting’s strategic vision unfolds in IPL 2025.