Punjab Kings’ farewell to their home crowd in New Chandigarh was marked by a standout moment—not on the scoreboard, but in the form of a classy post-game gesture from head coach Ricky Ponting, earning widespread praise from fans and cricket watchers alike.
Following the Kings’ final home match at the Maharaja Yadavindra Singh International Cricket Stadium in Chandigarh, Ponting stepped onto the field holding a giant banner that read “Thank You Chandigarh,” paying tribute to the home fans who had supported the team throughout the season’s initial stretch.
With Punjab Kings now set to play the remainder of their home games in Dharamsala, this act served as a sincere signoff to the stadium and its loyal crowd. Fans immediately took to social media to express their appreciation, hailing Ponting’s gesture as a sign of leadership, humility, and emotional connection to the franchise’s supporters.
“Ricky Ponting and Punjab management being a class act after their final #TATAIPL home game at Chandigarh!” wrote @parasrishi, posting a photo of Ponting holding the banner.
Another fan reflected on the team’s vibe this season, saying:
“This gesture from Ricky Ponting will stay in our hearts forever. Captain Shreyas has such an uplifting aura. We don’t know what the results of the upcoming games will be, but the vibe of PBKS this year is lit!”
Others echoed the sentiment, focusing more on Ponting’s impact beyond wins and losses.
“We don’t know our final result this season. But one thing I want to say—it is a thank you to RICKY PONTING, you just made this franchise more beautiful. Win or lose, I will not stop my support for this TEAM,” wrote @ImBATMAN012.
While RCB walked away with the win, there was little fanfare for their Aussie duo Josh Hazlewood and Tim David, both of whom had quieter outings this time around. Hazlewood went for 39 off four overs, and David didn’t bat. Ironically, in their previous encounter with Punjab just two days earlier, the pair had starred—Hazlewood took 3 wickets, and David smashed 50 off 26—but RCB lost that match.
In the end, the spotlight remained on Ponting’s simple but powerful gesture—a moment that reminded fans why cricket is more than just numbers on a scorecard.
Photo Credit: BCCI
Name of Author: Cricexec Staff
