“Criticised However…”: Ricky Ponting Responds After Backlash For Shopping for Many Australia Gamers For PBKS | Cricket Information

Ricky Ponting and Punjab Kings (PBKS) splashed out over Rs 110 crore within the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega public sale, and made three of the 5 greatest purchases of the two-day occasion. Shreyas Iyer was purchased for Rs 26.75 crore, whereas Yuzvendra Chahal and Arshdeep Singh every acquired Rs 18 cr. Nonetheless, one other facet of PBKS’ public sale technique was signing as many as 5 Australian gamers of their squad, with Ponting in all probability having a big say within the matter. Ponting defended the choice to choose so many Australians.

Punjab Kings purchased all-rounders Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell, wicket-keeper batter Josh Inglis, all-rounder Aaron Hardie and pacer Xavier Bartlett within the IPL 2025 mega public sale.

“I will in all probability get some criticism. I believe we’ve got acquired 5 Aussies out of our complement of eight abroad,” admitted Ponting after the public sale.

“However while you take a look at the slots that we would have liked, the gamers that we’ve got acquired fitted into these roles completely,” Ponting acknowledged.

Three of the Australians – Stoinis, Maxwell and Inglis – are prone to kind a significant a part of PBKS’ first XI as properly, given their all-round and wicket-keeping skills respectively. Stoinis was the most costly of the lot, fetching Rs 11 crore within the public sale.

“To have Marcus Stoinis and Glenn Maxwell again to Kings is large as they’ve each performed right here previously. A few new guys, together with Xavier Bartlett, Aaron Hardie, and Josh Inglis, are coming into the IPL for the primary time, which can be actually thrilling for us,” Ponting added.

Punjab Kings – again then often called Kings XI Punjab – was Stoinis’ very first IPL franchise, between 2016 and 2018. Then again, Maxwell will don the Punjab Kings purple for a 3rd spell in his profession.

Maxwell additionally received the Most Invaluable Participant (MVP) award when Punjab performed the IPL last (and final certified for the playoffs) in 2014.