Now Reading: Ponting’s pep talk revived Wadhera’s flagging IPL confidence
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Ponting’s pep talk revived Wadhera’s flagging IPL confidence
Punjab Kings batter Nehal Wadhera has credited head coach Ricky Ponting for personally lifting his spirits during a difficult IPL 2026 season in which he managed only 65 runs. Wadhera said Ponting…
The Story in Brief
Punjab Kings batter Nehal Wadhera has credited head coach Ricky Ponting for personally lifting his spirits during a difficult IPL 2026 season in which he managed only 65 runs. Wadhera said Ponting approached him unprompted, told him he was a “senior player” the franchise backed, and urged him to express himself. The 25-year-old, who scored 369 runs in IPL 2025, said such reassurance can only come from a coach who has faced the sport's highs and lows himself. Wadhera also praised captain Shreyas Iyer and the entire support staff for setting high standards through example.
The Indian Opinion
Stories like this risk painting IPL franchises as therapy centres rather than ruthless sporting businesses. Wadhera scored 369 runs in 2025 but only 65 in 2026, that drop is real. Ponting's reassurance is human, but the real test will be whether Punjab Kings retain Wadhera for another season based on potential, not past runs. How many lean years does a 'senior player' get before the backing runs out?
Source: rediff.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
