Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain, has expressed frustration with the IPL 2025 auction schedule clashing with India vs Australia Test series. Since both Ponting and Justin Langer are with IPL teams, they will have to leave the first Test match midway to attend the auction in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
“Worst Possible Case Scenario For Me” Says Ricky Ponting
Ponting, the new head coach of Punjab Kings, and Langer, the coach for Lucknow Super Giants, are commentating for the Test with Channel Seven. According to The Age reports, Ponting was said to be under the impression that the auction would take place after the end of the first Test. However, since the auction has been rescheduled for November 24 and 25, Ponting will commentate on Day 1 of the Test and then head straight to Jeddah.
“It’s the worst possible case scenario for me and ‘JL’,” Ponting said. “We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there’s a lot of players in both teams in the auction.”
“So I always thought it would’ve been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don’t know why they’ve chosen the dates they have – it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast,” said Ponting
Ponting Likely To Be Back By 2nd Test
“I’m calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we’re going through our auction, we’ll see when I can return. Hopefully I’ll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I’ll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide.”
However, both Ponting and Langer are likely to make a come back in time for the second Test, which will begin on December 6.
