"It's the worst possible case scenario" - Ricky Ponting expresses frustration over scheduling of IPL 2025 Auction during 1st IND-AUS Test

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has expressed frustration over the scheduling clash between the IPL 2025 mega auction and the first Test of the India-Australia series in Perth. While the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to be played between November 22-26, the IPL auction will happen in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, on November 24 and 25.

The scheduling has forced Ponting and Justin Langer (head coaches of the Punjab Kings and Lucknow Super Giants) to skip their commentating duties for Channel Seven after Day one and fly out for the auction.

Ponting voiced his frustration over the scheduling clash and was quoted as saying by India Today:

"It's the worst possible case scenario for me and 'JL'. We for the last couple of months felt that it was probably going to be in the gap between the Test matches. It takes all the pressure off the players from both teams, there's a lot of players in both teams in the auction."

"So I always thought it would've been in that gap because it just seemed better for everybody. But I don't know why they've chosen the dates they have - it might have something to do with the game. The auction actually starts on air almost immediately after the end of play. So it might be something to do with broadcast," he added.

As Ponting mentioned, there is a 10-day gap between the end of the first Test (November 26) and the start of the second Test (December 6). However, the two marquee events happening in parallel will likely have players from both India and Australia having one eye on the auction.

---

"Hopefully I'll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I'll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide" - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting remained hopeful of returning to his commentary stint for the climax of the opening India-Australia Test at Perth.

Apart from Ponting and Langer, Australia's bowling coach Daniel Vettori will also fly for the auction being the SunRisers Hyderabad head coach.

"I'm calling the first day then flying out late Friday night to Jeddah. The auction is the 24th and 25th and then depending on how we're going through our auction, we'll see when I can return. Hopefully I'll get back for the end of Perth, and if not I'll be back on deck for the start of Adelaide," said Ponting.

The auction's timing has been scheduled immediately after play (3 PM IST) on Days 3 and 4 of the opening India-Australia Test.