Ricky Ponting has prepared his support staff for the Punjab Kings with a very big step by appointing former Australian allrounder James Hopes. Hopes was a support staff member of Delhi Capitals and also a player back when the Indian Premier League launched in 2008 for the first time. Hopes got a four-year deal to join Punjab Kings as Ponting signed there. Despite Delhi Capitals giving him an extension offer, he moved to PBKS as Ponting's offer was not renewed. With Hopes signing, it means Charl Langeveldt, the former South African pacer, will no longer be part of the team. He served as the fast-bowling coach under Trevor Bayliss for the 2023 and 2024 seasons was playing the role of the bowling coach in 2020. Ricky Ponting has retained assistant coach Brad Haddin. He was with Punjab Kings for the last two years and was a part of Sunrisers Hyderabad before that. He will continue as batting and wicket-keeping coach. Also Read | Watch: Virat Kohli and Tim Southee's Epic Fight Caught on Camera Another retained member is the former India spinner and chief selector Sunil Joshi, who has been a spin bowling coach for the last couple of seasons. Sanjay Bangar, head of cricket development, has had his three-year contract terminated at its half-way mark, ending the tenure of the 51-year-old. All the other coaching staff, such as strength and conditioning coach Adrian le Roux and physio Andrew Leipus, are staying on. Ponting's biggest challenge will be finalizing players for retention. Punjab Kings are likely to step into the auction with the highest available purse. It is in talks to retain the left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh for India. However, there are a few differing opinions over whether he's worth the INR 18 crore being suggested for one retention. The franchise may also use a Right to Match (RTM) card to retain him at a lower price. Other discussed players to be retained include Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma. Both have had good seasons in the past year and should be retained as uncapped players at INR 4 crore each.