Former Delhi Capitals’ head coach Ricky Ponting has shared one problem he had with the Indian players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ponting, who has also coached the Mumbai Indians shared that he disliked the Indian players of his team and the opposite side mingling before the match as it reduced the competitive spirit among them as well.

Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ponting said: “One thing that I always struggled with the IPL, obviously, was that a lot of the Indian guys play in the national team together and you tend to get to the ground really early – about two hours before the game starts. And a lot of the players sort of catch up on the ground and put their arms around each other and give them a cuddle whenever they meet each other before the game starts, but I’d never do that. Justin Langer this year, for instance. I’ve played 15 years of cricket with him. I actually didn’t even look at him or shake his hand until the game or games were over. So that’s just my competitive nature coming out.”

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However, the veteran took charge of the Delhi-based franchise before the 2018 edition and exited after seven seasons a well. While the
Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy under him, it didn’t happen in Delhi as well. But Ricky Ponting opined that he has become quite relaxed now compared to the intensity he showed in international cricket as well.

“It probably doesn’t change the outcome but I think it sets a pretty good idea to the opposition that I’m there to get my job done and to have my team win that game of cricket. I’ll probably have been a little bit more relaxed here to be honest.”Pravin Amre has been an assistant coach with me at Delhi for seven years. I didn’t see him until after the game was over so that’s just me, but everyone’s different I guess,” Ricky Ponting concluded.