Punjab Kings players packed their bags amid war fears, but Ricky Ponting’s bold call changed everything

NEW DELHI: Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting was making ready to fly again house when the ceasefire between India and Pakistan was introduced. Despite having the choice to return to Australia, the legendary cricketer selected to remain, stepping off the aircraft on the final minute as anxious passengers regarded on.Ponting determined to stay in Delhi and took it upon himself to make sure that PBKS’ abroad players — a lot of whom have been unsettled by the looming menace of battle between two nuclear-armed nations — didn’t board their scheduled flight from the capital on Saturday night time.“It shows Ponting’s character. Only he could have pulled that off,” Punjab Kings CEO Satish Menon instructed PTI, referring to the motivational speak delivered by the World Cup-winning captain to the squad’s overseas contingent.The group of players, who had already endured a tense street and rail journey from Dharamsala to Delhi following the abandonment of their IPL fixture on May 8, included Australians Marcus Stoinis, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, and Xavier Bartlett.“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,” stated a supply inside the crew.

Among the abroad players, solely South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has left India in the meanwhile, though he stays in Dubai — only a quick flight away — in case of a right away return.With the resumption of the IPL now anticipated quickly, Punjab Kings are in a robust place, with most of their key Indian and abroad players nonetheless within the nation and able to regroup.Ponting’s management throughout a second of uncertainty seems to have reignited perception inside the squad — an element that would probably encourage them to one thing memorable this season.

In the debut season below the management of Shreyas Iyer and Ricky Ponting, Punjab now stand on the point of qualifying for the playoffs for the primary time since 2014.Delhi Capitals have been the opposite crew caught in Dharamsala when the sport was halted after Punjab had reached 122 for 1 in 10.1 overs. The match is about to renew from that time, although the venue and date are but to be finalised.