Former India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin praised Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach Ricky Ponting’s "masterstroke" in playing Xavier Bartlett for Punjab Kings (PBKS) against Gujarat Titans (GT), despite believing Azmatullah Omarzai deserved a spot.

Bartlett's performance was key as PBKS opened their IPL 2026 campaign with a tense six-wicket victory three-wicket victory in New Chandigarh on Tuesday (March 31).

While other Aussie options like Ben Dwarshuis and Mitchell Owen were available, Bartlett's inclusion alongside Cooper Connolly proved crucial for the Kings.

Connolly slammed an unbeaten 72 off 44 balls to anchor the chase after a middle-order collapse, overhauling the target of 163 with five deliveries to spare. On the other hand, Bartlett returned with figures of 0/36 from four overs in the first innings and then smashed Prasidh Krishna for a crucial six in the penultimate over the chase.

“I thought before the start of the game that Azmatullah Omarzai should play. Dude, why is Bartlett playing? But the way Bartlett bowled and batted, Ricky Ponting once again proved right by filling all the overseas slots with Australians," Ashwin said while speaking on his YouTube channel.

Ashwin was effusive in praise of Connolly, who deservedly earned the Player-of-the-Match accolade for his match-winning knock.

“This is his first game in the IPL. It isn’t easy. The guy comes from Australia and has never played cricket in India. It wasn’t a bouncy-type wicket; it was a skiddy wicket and he adapted and played a very good innings," Ashwin stated.

“There was a lot of pressure near the end; even then, he held his nerve and finished the chase well. He is only 22 years old and he performed so well in the BBL that he opened everyone’s eyes," he remarked.