Synopsis
The Punjab Kings have commenced their training camp in Dharamsala ahead of IPL Season 18. The camp focuses on refining strategies as key players and coaches prepare for the tournament at the scenic HPCA stadium.Key Takeaways
- Training camp initiated in Dharamsala for IPL Season 18.
- Key players and coaching staff are present at the camp.
- Focus on familiarizing with the HPCA stadium.
- Team to move to Mullanpur for additional training.
- Upcoming matches will start against Gujarat Titans.
Dharamsala, March 13 (NationPress) The Punjab Kings (PBKS) have officially kicked off their training camp in preparation for the upcoming Season 18 of the Indian Premier League (IPL) on Thursday. The team is gearing up for the grand tournament at the stunning Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association (HPCA) stadium located in Dharamsala. This camp aims to refine the team's approach as the players collaborate with the coaching staff to get ready for the competition.
Scheduled from March 12 to March 15, this training camp will see participation from notable Indian players such as wicketkeeper-batter Prabhsimran Singh, all-rounder Shashank Singh, and seasoned leg-spinner Yuzvendra Chahal. The coaching team includes head coach Ricky Ponting, assistant coach Brad Haddin, and fast bowling coach James Hopes, all of whom will be present at HPCA.
Regarding the choice of Dharamsala for their training, head coach Ricky Ponting expressed, "It feels fantastic to be here, many players haven’t had the chance to play at this venue before, and with three games scheduled here towards the end of the tournament, we thought it beneficial for the boys to familiarize themselves with the ground."
He continued, "We aim to maximize our training days here, followed by the potential for five or six days of training in Chandigarh."
After this camp, the team will relocate to Mullanpur starting March 16, where they will also be joined by captain Shreyas Iyer and Arshdeep Singh, who were part of the victorious 2025 Champions Trophy-winning Indian squad in Dubai.
Under Iyer's leadership, the squad will train at PBKS's home ground, the new PCA stadium, featuring international stars such as Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Marco Jansen, and Lockie Ferguson, among others.
Previously, the team arranged four training camps to help players acclimate to the playing conditions and enhance team cohesion. The first camp was held in Mumbai during the first week of January, followed by two camps in Chandigarh, and a final camp in Dharamsala in the first week of March.
PBKS is set to launch their IPL campaign on March 25 against the Gujarat Titans at the Narendra Modi International Stadium. After facing the Lucknow Super Giants in another away match, the team will return to Mullanpur to compete in two consecutive home games against Rajasthan Royals and Chennai Super Kings.
