Home-bound Ponting deboards plane after ceasefire announcement, gives pep talk to foreign players

Punjab Kings’ coach Ricky Ponting upon his arrival within the nationwide capital through a particular practice as authorities evacuate Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals players from Dharamsala, in New Delhi, Friday, May 9, 2025.
| Photo Credit: PTI

Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting was about to take off for house when the ceasefire between India and Pakistan got here into drive.

Despite that, the Australian legend had the choice to fly again to Australia however he selected not to, making a last-minute disembarkation from the Qantas plane full of anxious passengers.

Ponting stayed again in Delhi however he additionally ensured that the PBKS’ foreign players, who have been edgy contemplating the potential of a full scale warfare between two nuclear-armed international locations, have been satisfied about returning to India with the occasion doubtless to resume later within the week.

“It shows Ponting’s character. Only he could have pulled that off. Not only he voluntarily decided to stay back, he gave a motivational talk to the foreign players who had left for their respective destinations but now will be joining the team at the earliest,” Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon advised PTI.

Considering the heightened safety on the Delhi Airport, the franchise officers had to make loads of telephone calls to guarantee Ponting’s baggage was off-loaded from the plane.

The anxious batch of players, who had to make a nervous street/practice journey from Dharamsala to Delhi following the abandonment of the IPL sport on May 8, included Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and Xavier Bartlett (all from Australia).

South Africa’s Marco Jansen and Afghanistan’s Azmatullah Omarzai have camped themselves in Dubai which is a brief flight from India.

“The foreign players are not used to something like this (war like situation). 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 come back post ceasefire which I think is remarkable,” stated a supply within the group.

With the announcement of IPL resumption imminent, Punjab discover themselves well-placed with majority of their star Indian and foreign players already within the nation and on standby.

With Ponting galvanising the group from a nervous state of affairs, it might encourage the squad to do one thing particular on this IPL.

In the primary season of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting period, Punjab stand on the cusp of its first play-off berth since 2014.

The different stranded group in Dharamsala was Delhi Capitals after the sport was deserted after Punjab Kings raced to 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs. The match will resume from that place at a but to be determined venue and date.