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With the talks around Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 mega auction intensifying, key members of the commentary panel and Australian side, including former Australia captain Ricky Ponting , former coach Justin Langer and assistant coach Daniel Vettori are all set to be absent from the opening Test of the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
According to reports citing the Australian newspaper ‘The Age’, the three key icons will potentially miss the first Test in Perth, set to commence from November 22 due to their IPL commitments. It is to be noted that the IPL 2025 mega auction is scheduled to take place on November 24 and 25 in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. While Ricky Ponting has been named the Head Coach of Punjab Kings , Daniel Vettori heads SunRisers Hyderabad and Justin Langer serves as Head Coach of Lucknow Super Giants.
Ricky Ponting, Justin Langer out as commentators for Australia vs India first Test
As per “The Age”, "Channel Seven could be without Ricky Ponting and Justin Langer for the Perth Test due to a clash of commitments, and Australia may lose a vital backroom coach for the start of the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar series in a potential stand-off with Indian cricket.” "Unless (Channel) Seven and Cricket Australia can protect their interests against powerful cricket authorities in India, Ponting, Langer and Australia assistant coach Dan Vettori will likely be in Saudi Arabia holding a paddle at the IPL's mega player auction in Jeddah instead of being at Optus Stadium when the first Test reaches its conclusion," the paper further reported, as quoted by NDTV Sports.
Although, it further revealed no decision has been made regarding Vettori's involvement in the Perth Test as on the morning of November 13. “As of Wednesday morning, no decision had been made on whether Vettori would stay with the team through the entire Test or leave early for the auction, according to a team source with knowledge of the situation,” The Age reported.
With the auction dates clashing with the first Test between Australia and India, a lot of attention will be on the former with several stars going under the hammer including key players from the Australian as well as Indian team. The head coaches of the ten IPL franchises will have a lot on offer in order to pick the best of the talent available.
