IPL
Punjab coach Ricky Pointing: I’m there to support & challenge players, not control them
Punjab Kings are on a roll in IPL 2026 as they registered a convincing seven-wicket win over Mumbai Indians at the Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on Thursday night. With nine points from five games, Punjab are on the top of the table.
Play freely, pressure is my job: Nehal hails captain Shreyas as Kings face Indians
And no one would be happier than head coach Ricky Ponting. The Australian outlined the key elements behind building a winning mindset. “For me, it starts with creating the right environment where every player feels valued and on the same page. As a coach, I’m there to support and challenge them, not to control them. Even when they fail, they need to know that’s part of the game. In T20 cricket, you only need a few players to step up on any given day. So, it’s about building a strong group with clearly defined roles. That was a big part of our auction strategy as well, getting the right people in to shape the culture. When players feel backed, like someone like Prabhsimran or Shashank, they respond with performances, and that’s what ultimately drives results,” Ponting said on JioHotstar’s Google Search AI Mode Match Centre Live show.
Former Indian all-rounder Sanjay Bangar spoke about Punjab’s ‘fearless prodigy’ Singh’s impact at the top of the order. “In hindsight, that drop did turn out to be a crucial moment because Prabhsimran Singh made the most of it. Punjab Kings’ top order has been doing the bulk of the scoring, and he brings that aggressive intent which immediately puts bowlers under pressure. What stands out is his ability to attack all around the ground. He doesn’t get restricted to one side. Whether it’s through the offside or over the top, he keeps his options open, which allows him to maintain a high strike-rate and keep the pressure on throughout,” Bangar said.
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On Mumbai Indians’ team combination, Bangar said: “I was a bit surprised to see Quinton de Kock not being utilised more prominently because he’s a proven match-winner. When he gets going, he has the ability to win games on his own, and his record in T20 cricket reflects that. Mumbai Indians need that kind of impact at the top. It might mean making tough calls, even looking beyond Ryan Rickelton, to get the right balance in the XI. They also need to ensure their overseas combination complements the Indian core, and someone like Will Jacks, when he comes in, could add that extra energy and intent to the line-up.”
Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh
South African Dale Steyn said it was Arshdeep’s double strike early in the innings which shifted the momentum for Punjab Kings. “In a game like this, a bit of luck goes a long way. You can bowl well without reward, but that one wicket, even if it comes your way, can change everything. Arshdeep Singh hadn’t been at his best this season, but once he got that breakthrough, you could see the difference. He settled into his rhythm, his yorkers started landing perfectly, and everything began to come out of the hand nicely. Sometimes, all it takes is that one moment to turn things around,” Steyn said.