As the mega auction of IPL 2025 is getting closer, the stir is increasing. All the teams have started preparations from now on. In this episode, Punjab Kings recently appointed Ricky Ponting as the head coach. Earlier, he was the head coach of Delhi Capitals for 7 years. According to media reports, Ponting can include Delhi opener David Warner with him in Punjab Kings. Punjab opener and captain Shikhar Dhawan had recently retired. In such a situation, his place is vacant and Warner can be a perfect replacement for Punjab. Warner also has experience of captaincy and he has also won the trophy for Sunrisers Hyderabad in the 2016 season.
Punjab Kings has not yet given any official statement to the media regarding the inclusion of David Warner. But this possibility is being expressed because of Ricky Ponting. Preity Zinta's team has not performed well for a long time. Her team last qualified for the playoffs 10 years ago i.e. in 2014. In such a situation, she is looking for a good head coach and captain to improve the performance of her team.
Under Ponting, Delhi reached the final in 2020. That means by choosing him as the head coach, Punjab has achieved its first goal. Now they are looking for a good opener and captain, which Warner can fulfill. But for this, they will have to depend on the decision of Delhi Capitals. It remains to be seen whether Delhi retains Warner for the next season or not.
The BCCI has not yet released the retention rules for IPL 2025. However, according to media reports, the rules have been finalised and can be released in the Apex Council meeting. This time the board may allow retention of 5 players, which will include 3 Indian and 2 foreign players.
If this happens, then considering last year's performance and the future, it is expected that Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav and Akshar Patel along with Jake Fraser McGurk and Tristian Stubbs will be retained. At the same time, David Warner is 37 years old and his performance has also declined. Along with this, he has also been struggling with the problem of injury. In such a situation, it is expected to a great extent that the Delhi team will release him.
