Punjab Kings Batsmen Praise Ricky Ponting's Positive Impact

Nehal Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh praise new coach Ricky Ponting's positive approach, which has inspired the team to a winning start in the Indian Premier League.

Punjab Kings batsmen Nehal Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh have praised the significant impact made by new coach Ricky Ponting, citing his positive approach as a key factor in the team's winning start to the Indian Premier League season. Ponting was appointed on a four-year contract in September, following the team's ninth-place finish last season under Trevor Bayliss. The former Delhi Capitals coach has now guided Punjab to two consecutive victories.

Wadhera and Prabhsimran Singh played crucial roles in Punjab's latest win, with Wadhera scoring an unbeaten 43 and Prabhsimran posting 69 to help the team chase down 172 with 22 deliveries to spare. The duo credited Ponting's influence for their success, with Wadhera praising the coach's positive approach. “He's one of the best coaches I've ever worked with,” Wadhera said. “I've never heard any negative talk from him and that's the best thing about him. He talks positive, and when a coach gives you such positive remarks, that automatically boosts your confidence.” Wadhera also acknowledged that Ponting's decision to insert him as an impact player had paid off.

Prabhsimran Singh believes that Ricky Ponting and his coaching staff have already made a significant impact on the Punjab Kings team, instilling a winning mentality in the players as they strive for their first title in the 18th edition of the Indian Premier League. “They're legends,” Prabhsimran said, praising the coaching staff. “Whenever they speak, it's always positive. There's no such thing as 'if' (in their thinking).”

Prabhsimran emphasized that Ponting and his staff have encouraged the players to adopt a winning mindset, urging them to back their game and focus on emerging victorious. “They ask us to go with just one mindset, and that is of winning,” Prabhsimran explained. “They have asked us to back our game.” With this positive approach, Punjab will look to continue their winning streak when they face the Rajasthan Royals on Saturday, as they currently trail table-toppers Royal Challengers Bengaluru on net run rate.

Nehal Wadhera: “the way Shreyas Iyer bhai batted, it was really remarkable and all CREDIT goes to the way he is captaining us and also the way he is boosting our confidence and the way he was telling me things like play your natural game, just go with the flow.” pic.twitter.com/l1q87VaeYa

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