Ricky Ponting Delivers 'Horrible News' To PBKS Star Right Before KKR Match. Player Looks Shattered

Punjab Kings made a strange change to their playing XI for the IPL 2025 match against Kolkata Knight Riders. The Shreyas Iyer-led side dropped Marcus Stoinis. So far, all-rounder Stoinis has 59 runs in five matches while he is yet to take a wicket in IPL 2025. Right before the PBKS vs KKR match, visuals showed coach Ponting telling something to Stoinis. Former Zimbabwe cricketer Pommie Mbangwa, who was in the commentary box, said: “They must have deliberated a great deal about the team. This looks like the decision was taken right here at the ground. Stoinis has his gloves and bat there. He is just getting the bad news there. Horrible news. It's tough to drop anyone.” 

Stoinis Gutted After Being Benched Despite Full Fitness - Coach Ponting's Call
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Simon Doull, former New Zealand player, was also surprised. "Is he injured? Did Shreyas Iyer say anything about Stoinus being injured? If he is not injured, that's astounding. What did he get at the back end in the last game, Stoinis? He smashed some 30, did he at the back end? That too of very few balls," said the former New Zealand cricketer.

"Unless they're thinking, I mean, how many lefties are in that Kolkata lineup with? Maxwell may play a role with De Kock, Narine there, Venkatesh Iyer in the middle order and Rinku at 6 or 7. So maybe they think Maxwell has to play a bit of a role. Maybe that's the reason. But I'm a little bit shocked because the runs aren't coming from Maxwell," he added.

"I didn't think it was that bad. But you know, those are awful numbers. And to keep him in the team purely as a bowling option is a very interesting one," he added.

PBKS won the toss and elected to