New Delhi, Australian nice Ricky Ponting has revealed that Shreyas Iyer, Arshdeep Singh, and Yuzvendra Chahal had been “non-negotiables” for him on the IPL 2025 mega public sale as the brand new head coach seems to rebuild Punjab Kings in pursuit of their maiden title.
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Kolkata Knight Riders’ IPL-winning skipper Shreyas Iyer grew to become the second-most costly participant after PBKS secured him for a staggering ₹26.75 crore, whereas leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal was purchased for ₹18 crore, making him the costliest spinner of the match.
Left-arm pacer Arshdeep, who just lately grew to become India’s main T20I wicket-taker surpassing Chahal, was on the middle of a dramatic bidding conflict earlier than PBKS used their RTM card to retain him at ₹18 crore – the costliest Indian pacer in IPL public sale historical past.
“There were three players that I wanted to bring in. One who has been at Punjab Kings for three or four years Arshdeep Singh,” Ponting defined his strategic method at ‘The Howie Video games’ podcast.
“I additionally needed to herald a captain who I’ve labored with earlier than and who has had quite a lot of success. So, we went after Shreyas Iyer. I additionally needed to herald Yuzi. So the Indian guys that we now have are excellent,” he stated.
He additional added that whereas some changes had been vital through the public sale, his major focus remained on constructing a well-balanced squad.
“And then, we had to make a few tweaks as the auction went on to make sure we ended up with a really good squad. I am trying to make things different and rebuild and have the right people around me. But these three were non-negotiables,” he said.
The franchise has also shown faith in its young Indian contingent, retaining uncapped players Prabhsimran Singh and Shashank Singh as part of their long-term vision.
Ponting emphasised that while overseas players often attract more attention and bigger bids, his focus was always on ensuring a solid foundation of Indian talent.
“It’s not so much about the overseas guys. The overseas guys create a lot of hype, and they go for a lot of money or whatever. But as far as I am concerned, I needed to bring the right Indian players back into the tent,” Ponting stated.
A massively fashionable determine in India, the two-time World Cup profitable captain additionally mirrored on the heat he receives from followers.
“While you’re in India, on most flights or once you test right into a lodge, there are such a lot of individuals round making an attempt to have an image or they want to seize your bag to drop into your room. Nevertheless it’s half and parcel of an Australian cricketer’s life once you go to India,” he said.
“You respect it extra once you perceive how a lot it means to them. There are individuals of all completely different ages. I believe doing commentary gigs in India has allowed quite a lot of that, as I’ve spent quite a lot of time within the nation now.
“I have also been able to work with a lot of players who have talked reasonably highly about me in the media. I think people have learned a lot more about me since my playing days,” Ponting signed off.