Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting reportedly played a major role in persuading the foreign players in the squad to stay back in India amid border tensions.
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Following the suspension of the IPL, several overseas players were ready to move back to their respective countries. It all started with the match between Punjab Kings and Delhi Capitals (DC) in Dharamshala as the match had to be called off mid-way due to security concerns.
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Following a ceasefire agreement between India and Pakistan on May 10, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is likely to resume the tournament at the earliest. However, foreign players for franchises who have already left are now doubtful to return.
But that is not the case with PBKS' foreign players as Ponting played convinced and changed their minds in the last moment.
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According to a report by the Press Trust of India (PTI), PBKS CEO Satish Menon revealed that all the foreign players, including head coach Ponting, had boarded a flight to go back home on Saturday.
However, after India and Pakistan agreed on a ceasefire, Ponting was the first one to get off the plane and convince the players to stay back in India.
Australian players like Aaron Hardie and Xavier Bartlett were nervous as tensions between the two nations were escalating, but it was Ponting who came to the rescue with a pep talk that calmed down the players
Speaking to PTI, Menon said that he was awestruck by the veteran's approach: "It shows Ponting's character. Only he could have pulled that off."
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Further, another PTI source revealed that all the Australian players were willing to head back home when Ponting decided to intervene and changed their minds miraculously in the very last minute.
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Speaking to PTI, the source said, "The foreign players are not used to something like this (war-like situation). So, it was natural for them to feel anxious.
Led by Stoinis, they all wanted to leave at the earliest, and understandably so. But Ponting has convinced them to stay back post-ceasefire, which I think is remarkable."
It is learned that the South African all-rounder Marco Jansen has flown back home but is transiting in Dubai, which will make it easier for him to fly back quickly to India.
Stoinis and Josh Inglis, though, have returned home to Australia, but are expected to return when the season restarts again. Therefore, the Punjab team is expected to have all their overseas players available for the upcoming matches.