Ponting Approves Late Arrival of Jansen in Wake of Delayed Departure Post T20WC

New Delhi: Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting has approved Marco Jansen’s late arrival in the IPL considering the South African all-rounder was among the last batch of players to leave India late after the T20 World Cup due to logistical issues.

South Africa and West Indies players were stranded in India for more than a week after wrapping up their World Cup campaigns. Some, including West Indies head coach Daren Sammy and Proteas batsman David Miller, also expressed disappointment at the delay in their departure from India due to restricted operations of major airports such as Dubai and Abu Dhabi amid the West Asian conflict.

Jansen, a key member of the PBKS unit, will join the cast on March 26. Ponting and the majority of foreign players are scheduled to join the team on March 21.

Afghanistan’s versatile player Azmatullah Omarzai will join the team from Kabul on March 23. His country is currently in a conflict with Pakistan.

The combination of Ponting and Shreyas Iyer, in their first year at PBKS, took the series to the final last season for the first time since 2014.

“Ricky fully supports his players. Considering Marco’s late departure from India, he understands that he needs to be given adequate time at home,” a source told PTI.

The slender left-arm pacer took 16 wickets last season at an economy rate of 9.20.

Captain Iyer is expected to join the squad on March 19.

With Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports still operating well below capacity, teams face the additional challenge of arranging players’ travel from the west.

Punjab Kings will kick off the 2026 season at home against Gujarat Titans on March 31. They will face CSK in an away match on April 3.