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Punjab Kings’ IPL 2026 campaign has now turned into a complete nightmare, and head coach Ricky Ponting looked completely dejected after the team’s latest defeat against Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in Dharamshala on Sunday, May 18.
PBKS once looked like one of the favorites for the title in the ongoing IPL 2026, but after losing six consecutive matches, they are now on the verge of elimination. The surprising thing is that Punjab Kings made a great start to the season by winning the first six matches while one match in Kolkata was lost due to rain.
Ricky Ponting heartbroken as PBKS collapse continues in IPL 2026
But the second half of the season has completely changed everything for the franchise. After another defeat against RCB in Dharamshala, Punjab Kings are now in a winning position.
Their playoff hopes hang in the balance, as they now need to win their last game against LSG and hope other results go their way. Well, after the Dharamshala match, a moment caught everyone’s attention. Actually, Ricky Ponting was seen sitting quietly alone in the dugout.
The great Australian looked in complete shock and despair as he stared at the field after another painful defeat on Sunday. The image went viral on social media in no time, with many fans calling it one of the most emotional scenes of the season.
Really heart broken seeing coach saab like this… feeling very bad
This man has rarely looked so sad in his entire cricket career, but today you can see how much Punjab means to him… Ricky Ponting looks really hurt
But no one…
– Shreyas Iera (@IyerShreeass) 17 May 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin reacts to Ricky Ponting’s emotional dugout image
Now former Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin has also reacted on this occasion. He said that the picture of Ponting sitting alone shows the pain and frustration inside the Punjab Kings camp after such a dramatic collapse in the ongoing IPL 2026 season.
Ashwin also said that he feels bad for both head coach Ricky Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer because the team has put itself in such a difficult position after such a strong start to the tournament.
Ravichandran Ashwin said on his YouTube channel ‘Aish Ki Baat’, “I saw a powerful picture on TV after the match today. Ricky Ponting was alone in the dugout, leaning forward. A lot must be going on in his mind. He was in prime position to run away in this tournament and take the top two positions. I think he would be asking himself where he went wrong.”
Also read: Punjab Kings issue official statement on Arshdeep Singh playing despite injury in IPL 2026
The former PBKS captain further added, “I was sitting on the same chair in 2018. I am not defending them, but I also said in the last episode, three or four champion teams do not play at different home venues. You were winning consecutively in Mullanpur, then you went to Dharamshala and you lost three consecutive home matches.”
Pradhan Ponting
From final to defeat: What happened to Punjab Kings?The biggest reason I started supporting Punjab Kings is because of Ricky Ponting. He’s my favorite player of all time, and no one can guess why.
To see him so disappointed like this – honestly… pic.twitter.com/pqPyW6xdpa
– AKCricTalks (@AKCricTalks) 18 May 2026
Ravichandran Ashwin criticizes PBKS over ‘home ground’ mistake in IPL 2026
Ashwin also criticized Punjab Kings’ decision to split their home matches between Mullanpur and Dharamshala in IPL 2026. He said that making a pitch and getting used to the conditions are completely different things, and he made a big mistake in that.
Ashwin also criticized the franchise owners for focusing more on business decisions rather than what is best for the team’s performance. He signed off by saying, “These are young players, and even the foreign players are struggling. There is a big difference between Mullanpur and Dharamshala when it comes to pace and bounce.
The soil is the same, but the altitude is different. This is an away game for Punjab also. If they had won even one of these home games, they would be smiling right now. This is quite disappointing. I feel sad for Punjab. You should not leave your home ground. Ricky Ponting will be distraught; Shreyas Iyer will also be there.”
Also read: Punjab Kings announce acquisition of WPL team
