Ricky Ponting Declines Team India Coaching Job, Prioritises IPL For Delhi Capitals
Ricky Ponting during IPL 2024 (BCCI)
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has turned down Team India’s coaching offer following the conclusion of the IPL 2024 season. The 49-year-old recently coached the Delhi Capitals franchise in IPL 2024, where they fell just short of a spot in the playoffs.
While speaking with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting explained that he declined the offer because it does not align with his “lifestyle” at the moment.
Ricky Ponting declines India’s coaching, prioritizes IPL
While speaking with the ICC, Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting admitted that he had a few conversations during the IPL 2024 season in regards to a coaching offer for the Indian cricket team.
The former Australian cricketer said that while he would love to coach a national team, coaching Team India will not allow him to be involved with the Delhi Capitals franchise.
Ponting also acknowledged that coaching Team India would be a 10-month job, and doing so will impact his current lifestyle routine.
“Everyone knows if you take a job with the Indian team, you can’t be involved with an IPL team. A national head coach is a 10 or 11-month job and doesn’t fit into my lifestyle right now.”
Watch: Ricky Ponting explains why he declined Team India coaching offer
Ricky Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, has previously coached Australia on an interim basis. The 49-year-old recently completed seven seasons as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals franchise.
Apart from the legendary Australian cricketer, candidates like Justin Langer, CSK coach Stephen Fleming and KKR mentor Gautam Gambhir have also been considered for India’s coaching gig in the last few days.
India’s current head coach Rahul Dravid is all set to step down from his high-profile role after the conclusion of the upcoming T20 World Cup 2024.