'Now or never': Ricky Ponting’s clear message before PBKS' must-win IPL clash vs LSG
Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting said the team is staying calm and focused ahead of its final league-stage match of IPL 2026 against Lucknow Super Giants at Ekana Cricket Stadium on Saturday. With a playoff spot still at stake, PBKS are looking to move past recent results and return to the form that helped them dominate the first half of the season. Speaking at the pre-match press conference on Friday, Ponting said the dressing room atmosphere remains positive despite the pressure of the situation.
"There's a really good, positive vibe around the group, it's been really relaxed. We've got quite an experienced group of players so they know how to go about getting themselves prepared for big games, and I guess there's no hiding from the fact that it's now or never for us as a team in this tournament. So I'm really excited about tomorrow.
I'm excited about what this group is capable of, and I think we all saw in the first seven games of the season just how good this team can play," said Ponting. Ponting also warned that LSG could still be dangerous despite being out of playoff contention. "I think teams in situations like this can be very dangerous.
Lucknow going into tomorrow, apart from probably personal pride and pride for the franchise's performance, they've really got nothing else to lose. But we understand that, and that's the way that I want my boys to play as well. I want us to be fearless and I want us to be daring.
I want us to take the game on and not be worried about the negative things that might happen," he added. The former Australia captain said close moments often decide T20 matches and stressed the need for players to stay focused on execution. "It's really important we focus on the positive things and what you can do as an individual player to make an impact on the game there and then.