Jeddah (Saudi Arabia), Nov 24 (Reporter) Ricky Ponting, the newly-appointed head coach of Punjab Kings, has shared his excitement over the team’s key acquisitions ahead of the IPL 2025 season, underlining the franchise's long-term vision. Speaking about the inclusion of Shreyas Iyer, Ponting remarked, “Shreyas, Pant, and KL Rahul were always going to attract big money. I’m excited to work with Shreyas again. He’s a great guy and player, and he’ll be a fantastic leader for us. He was the championship-winning captain last year, so there’s a lot to be excited about bringing him to Punjab.” Ponting also spoke about the return of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, a player who has been a consistent performer for PBKS since his IPL debut in 2019. “I’m very happy to be back in Punjab. I hope we win the trophy this year,” said Arshdeep, who has taken 76 wickets in five IPL seasons and played a crucial role in India’s 2024 T20 World Cup victory, where he picked up 17 wickets in 8 matches, finishing as the joint-leading wicket-taker. Ponting expressed his enthusiasm about bringing Arshdeep back into the fold, saying, “We had certain targets coming into the auction, and Arshdeep was obviously the first one. He’s been with us for years and has a fantastic skill set. He’s one of India’s leading T20 wicket-takers, and he’s a perfect fit for us.” Yuzvendra Chahal, another major acquisition, brings invaluable experience to the squad. With 205 IPL wickets and a proven track record, Chahal is a key asset for Punjab Kings. “I’m excited to play with Shreyas and Arshdeep, and I’m looking forward to learning from Ricky Ponting. Let’s focus on winning the trophy. Go Punjab!” Chahal said. Ponting, who is overseeing the rebuilding process of the franchise, elaborated on the strategy behind securing Chahal, describing him as the “highest-quality Indian spinner in the auction.” He continued, “We’ve spent a bit to get the best players because we’re rebuilding the franchise from the ground up. The auction is going exactly the way we wanted, and we’re excited for what’s to come.” As the auction progresses, Ponting emphasised the need for flexibility. “We had certain targets coming in, and we’ve hit those targets. There’s still work to do in the second half of the auction, and that’s the fun part. The key is to stay flexible and adjust as things progress.” With a blend of experience and promising talent, Punjab Kings are shaping up to be strong contenders for the IPL 2025 season. The team’s acquisitions signal a fresh and focused approach as they aim for success in the upcoming campaign. In an exciting move, PBKS exercised the Right to Match (RTM) card to bring Arshdeep Singh back to the team for Rs. 18 crore. Iyer, coming off a successful IPL campaign as the winning captain, was picked up for a hefty Rs. 26.75 crore, while Chahal was acquired for Rs 18 crore. The franchise also signed Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis for Rs. 11 crore, with his compatriot Glenn Maxwell returning to Punjab for Rs. 4.20 crore...////...