Former Kings XI Punjab captain Adam Gilchrist has voiced strong criticism of the Punjab Kings’ management, labeling the franchise’s leadership as “erratic” while expressing cautious optimism about its future under new stewardship.
Speaking on the Club Prairie Fire show on YouTube, the Australian legend pulled no punches. “There is still the same ownership when I was the captain of that particular franchise. It was somewhat erratic at times and that might be the handbrake for them for a long while,” Gilchrist remarked, referring to his IPL stint with the team from 2011 to 2013.
Gilchrist, who led the Deccan Chargers to their maiden IPL title in 2009 before moving to Punjab, failed to guide the Mohali-based side to the playoffs during his three-season tenure. The franchise, which rebranded to Punjab Kings in 2021, has made only one IPL final appearance since the tournament’s inception in 2008, falling short in a nail-biting 2014 final against Kolkata Knight Riders.
However, Gilchrist appears hopeful that the franchise is now heading in a better direction, placing his trust in the newly appointed leadership duo of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer. “I think the combination of Ricky Ponting and Shreyas Iyer will inspire that franchise. They have worked well together previously and that’s going to be the cohesive gel to bring their ownership together. But I think Ricky will settle the ship,” he said.
Ponting, the former Delhi Capitals coach, previously worked with Iyer during a successful spell that included three consecutive playoff appearances and a runner-up finish in 2020. The duo now reunites at Punjab, with high expectations to reverse the franchise’s inconsistent track record.
Gilchrist also made a bold prediction regarding Punjab’s new skipper. “Shreyas Iyer is going to be my Orange Cap wearer by the end of it. He is going to bat at number three. He has been talking about it and he is shifting up the order and taking on the leadership role for them,” he added.
Iyer, who captained Kolkata Knight Riders to an IPL title in 2024, was acquired by Punjab for a massive INR 26.75 crore at the IPL 2025 mega-auction, making him one of the season’s marquee signings.
Punjab Kings will begin their IPL 2025 campaign against Gujarat Titans on March 25, hoping that the new leadership can finally break their playoff drought and bring stability to a franchise long marked by inconsistency.
