Ricky Ponting convinced foreign players to stay back in India: PBKS CEO Satish Menon
Punjab Kings (PBKS) CEO Satish Menon has revealed that head coach Ricky Ponting has convinced most of the foreign players to stay back in India. According to a report in PTI, all foreign players along with Ponting had boarded a flight to head back home on Saturday after the Indian Premier League 2025 (IPL 2025) was suspended. However, after India and Pakistan signed a ceasefire agreement, Ponting got off the plane and also made sure that other foreign players also stayed back in India.advertisementThe Australian bunch of players in the PBKS, such as Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis and Xavier Bartlett, were nervous as the border tensions between India and Pakistan escalated. However, Ponting managed to calm them down through a pep talk, which even left PBKS CEO Satish Menon in awe of his character."It shows Ponting's character. Only he could have pulled that off," Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon told PTI.
Furthermore, a source revealed that all the Australian players were willing to fly back home, but Ponting remarkably managed to change their mind at the very last minute."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 stay back post ceasefire, which I think is remarkable," a PBKS team source told PTI.advertisementSouth Africa all-rounder Marco Jansen is the only player to have flown back home from the Punjab Kings. However, he is transiting in Dubai and hence can take a quick flight back to India. The IPL 2025 was suspended after the Pakistan army attacked in several parts of north India on May 8 which also forced the authorities to stop the Punjab Kings vs Delhi Capitals (DC) Match 58 happening in Dharamsala midway.Stay updated on IPL 2025 with India Today! Get match schedules, team squads, live score, and the latest IPL points table for CSK, MI, RCB, KKR, SRH, LSG, DC, GT, PBKS, and RR. Plus, keep track of the top contenders for the IPL Orange Cap and Purple Cap. Don't miss a moment!
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