NEW DELHI
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has delivered a powerful message to his squad ahead of the IPL 2026 season: don’t be afraid to fail. Speaking at the team’s training camp in Mullanpur, the Australian legend emphasized that making mistakes is a natural part of cricket, provided players stay true to their tactical plans.
For Ponting, the focus right now isn’t on the scoreboard, but on preparation. He urged his players to use the current training sessions to sharpen their physical and mental readiness. “Mistakes come, we all make mistakes,” Ponting told the group. He explained that if a player fails while following the agreed-upon strategy, it shouldn’t be seen as a blunder, but simply as “part of the game.” This approach aims to remove the fear of failure that often haunts teams in high-pressure tournaments.
The camp saw a mix of old and new faces, with Ponting welcoming fresh signings like Ben Dwarshuis and Vishal. He described the gathering as getting “the band back together,” noting the strong chemistry among the returning players. Led by captain Shreyas Iyer, the team is highly motivated to go one step further this year after finishing as runners-up in the 2025 season.
The Punjab Kings will play 14 league matches this season, starting their quest for the trophy against the Gujarat Titans on March 31. With Ponting’s “fearless” philosophy taking root, fans are expecting an aggressive and confident brand of cricket from the Kings this year.
Ponting tells Punjab Kings to play fearless
