Ricky Ponting’s tenure as the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League has finally come to an end. It brings an end to a six-season journey with the franchise dating back to 2018. This mutual decision by Ponting and the management of the team was taken due to a strategic realignment and the desire for a coach who would be available during off seasons with the franchise.
Ponting explained the reasons and the road ahead for Delhi Capitals in an interaction recently. He says management has been keen to move in a new direction, one that needs a head coach who could give more time and be available more. This was deemed necessary to get along well with the local Indian players, an element very important in team building in IPL. However, considering all of the other personal and professional commitments of Ponting outside cricket, he could not live up to this requirement.
“They made it pretty clear they wanted to head in a different direction with someone who could give them a bit more time and a bit more availability through the off-season, particularly to spend more time in India with the local players. I just couldn’t do that with the other commitments I have,” Ricky Ponting told The ICC Review in an interview.
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Reflecting on his discussions with the management of the franchise, Ricky Ponting had an inkling that the team might be looking at appointing an Indian-based coach as his successor. It is a part of the bigger policy the franchise is pursuing in trying to build relationships with Indian players and have better control over what the team does during the off-season. Under Ponting, Delhi Capitals experienced massive highs – they made their first-ever IPL final in 2020 where they ended up being the runners-up.
Ricky Ponting Said :-
“I think that they’ll (Delhi Capitals) probably end up with an Indian based head coach”.
[ Source – ICC ] pic.twitter.com/RdPh5VgllP
— Jay Cricket. (@Jay_Cricket18) August 10, 2024
“I think what you’ll find is that they’ll probably end up with an Indian-based head coach. Certainly, that’s some of the dialogue that I’ve had with them,” said Ricky Ponting, indicating the potential route the franchise might take.
As far as his future in coaching goes, though, Ponting has categorically denied any interest in an international coaching role. He said he would not be interested in becoming part of the England men’s white-ball setup. According to him, his commitments at this stage of his life are not compatible with an international coaching role.
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“No, I wouldn’t ever consider doing that, actually. I’m on record saying that international jobs for me right now are not really where my life is at, with just so much more time taken up with an international job,” Ricky Ponting said and ruled out any speculation about his involvement with England’s team.
This comes just days after national head coach Matthew Mott stepped down in July, which closed his 26-month tenure. After Ponting’s decision to leave Delhi Capitals, the search for a new head coach comes in, one who would lay his own mark and make the franchise reach even greater heights in the IPL.
