Punjab Kings’ head coach, Ricky Ponting, kickstarted preparations for the upcoming Indian Premier League 2026 season by advising players to welcome mistakes while staying dedicated to the process. Ponting, addressing the team at their training camp in New Chandigarh’s Mullanpur, stressed the importance of readiness, clear roles, and faith in the team’s strategy.
The team commenced their camp at the New International Cricket Stadium with an intense initial session, reuniting players and support staff for the new season. Ponting, expressing his excitement before practice, welcomed both familiar faces and new additions, emphasizing the significance of preparation over immediate outcomes.
Ponting highlighted that the current focus is solely on training and readiness for the forthcoming games rather than the tournament’s immediate commencement. He encouraged players to recall the qualities that contributed to their success as a team in the previous season, aiming to transition from being a good team to a great one.
Encouraging a positive mindset towards errors, Ponting urged players not to fear mistakes as long as they adhere to their plans. Emphasizing the inevitability of errors in the game, Ponting advised the squad to remain committed to their game plan, considering mistakes as part of the natural course of play.
Led by Shreyas Iyer, Punjab Kings, after finishing as runners-up in 2025, are gearing up for the 19th edition with aspirations to clinch the title. The team is scheduled to play 14 league matches, commencing their campaign against the Gujarat Titans on April 31.
