Ricky Ponting has reacted strongly to the growing criticism and social media backlash surrounding Punjab Kings’ dramatic decline in IPL 2026, insisting that the negativity has not affected the team’s dressing room.Punjab Kings started the new mega auction cycle in sensational fashion, winning six of their first seven matches to emerge as one of the strongest teams in the tournament. However, their campaign has been completely derailed since late April, with PBKS now going into their crucial clash against Lucknow Supergiants on a six-match winless streak.The franchise is currently fifth on the IPL 2026 points table with 13 points from 13 games, including an abandoned match against Kolkata Knight Riders. Despite the poor run, Punjab remain firmly in the playoff race thanks to a healthy Net Run Rate of +0.227. With the competition for the final playoff spot intensifying against Kolkata Knight Riders and Rajasthan Royals, PBKS must now win to revive their fading qualification hopes. Amidst the team’s slump in form, criticism has intensified on social media, with players, team management, and franchise leadership all coming under heavy scrutiny. However, Ponting dismissed outside noise and insisted that the squad is fully focused on turning things around.“There is no off-field thing that I have to worry about as a coach. We have managed everything the way a team needs to be managed, there is so much social media that a small headline turns into a big story, but it doesn’t affect us. We know what we have to do as players to win cricket games, and we go with it,” Peon told PTI. toldThe former Australian captain also expressed confidence that if Punjab Kings manage to qualify for the playoffs, the criticism will end.“If we qualify, all the negativity about us will go away,” he added.Ponting urged his players to rediscover the fearless brand of cricket that made PBKS the most dangerous side earlier in the season.Ponting explained, “It’s very easy for us. We have to believe how good we are and remember the way we played our first six or seven games of the season.”“We need to hold on to those thoughts and memories instead of fearing failure or worrying about not getting success. At our best, we have been the most fearless team in the tournament. We have been brave. That’s what I will talk about again and want to make sure we bring those things into the game against Lucknow,” he said.
