Ashwin sympathized deeply with Ponting and Shreyas Iyer as PBKS find themselves in tough spot.
Punjab Kings (PBKS) suffered sixth consecutive defeat in the IPL 2026 on Sunday (May 17), losing to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by 23 runs in Dharamsala.
Chasing 223 to win, a collapsing top-order left PBKS reeling at 19/3 inside the powerplay. Despite a valiant middle-order counter-attack, the hosts were restricted to 199/8.
With this outcome, PBKS remain on 13 points and no longer control their own playoffs fate. The Shreyas Iyer-led side not only need to win their last league fixture, but also need a few other results to go their way to secure a top-four finish.
As soon as the match ended in Dharamsala, a picture of visibly disappointed PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting sitting alone in the dugout captured widespread attention.
The visual struck a chord with many in the cricketing fraternity, prompting former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to label it a "powerful picture".
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Ashwin sympathized deeply with Ponting and captain Shreyas Iyer while also pointing out that logistical hurdle might have contributed to Punjab’s mid-season slump.
"I saw a powerful picture on TV after the match today. Ricky Ponting was leaning forward in the dugout, all alone. He must have a lot going on inside his head. They were in the prime position to run away and take the top two spot in this tournament. I think they must be asking themselves where they went wrong. I sat on the same chair in 2018. I am not defending them, but I said in the last episode as well, the three or four champion teams don't play at different home venues. You were winning in Mullanpur continuously, then you went to Dharamsala and you lost three consecutive home games," Ashwin said.
Ashwin slammed the franchise ownership for prioritizing 'business needs' over cricketing needs. He attributed the team’s drastic slump from an early seven-match unbeaten streak to the split home venue strategy, citing that constantly switching grounds disrupts rhythm.
"These are young players, and even foreign players are struggling. There's a big difference between Mullanpur and Dharamsala when it comes to pace and bounce. The soil is the same but the altitude is different. This is also an away game for Punjab. If they had won even one of these home games, they would've been smiling right now," Ashwin stated.
"They defended 220 in Mullanpur against SRH because they know the wicket that well. They practised at the venue even before the IPL started. Making pitches is one thing, but getting yourself accustomed to the conditions is different. It's quite disappointing. I feel sad for Punjab. You shouldn't leave your home ground. If it makes business sense, let it only make business sense, but if you want to win and qualify, you can't afford to make these mistakes. Ricky Ponting will be distraught, Shreyas Iyer will be too, but it is incredibly hard," he further remarked.
Punjab Kings will face Lucknow Super Giants in their last league match at Ekana Cricket Stadium on May 23.