Ricky Ponting, the former Australian skipper, has shed light on his departure from the Delhi Capitals (DC) coaching setup, citing availability issues and the franchise's desire for a full-time head coach. Ponting's exit from DC after seven years paved the way for his appointment as the new head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) starting from IPL 2025.
Ponting's IPL journey began as a player with Kolkata Knight Riders in 2008, followed by a stint with Mumbai Indians, where he relinquished the captaincy in 2013. He later served as an advisor in 2014 and head coach in 2015 and 2016. In 2018, he took over as head coach of DC, guiding them to three consecutive playoff appearances from 2019 to 2021, including their maiden final in 2020.
Reflecting on his time with DC, Ponting emphasized the "family environment" he fostered. However, he acknowledged the franchise's desire for a full-time head coach, which he could not commit to due to other commitments and family time.
"I understand what they want; they said to me that my availability was becoming an issue. And they wanted to pretty much have a full-time head coach. I could not commit to that, so I was disappointed that it ended, but I understand the direction they wanted to head going forward," Ponting said.
Despite the disappointment, Ponting expressed gratitude for the memories and relationships he built during his tenure. He also highlighted the pressure of winning a trophy, which he embraces as a coach.
"That is the thing that makes coaching inviting to me. I like having that pressure. It is as close to getting back to playing as you can possibly get," he added.
Ponting acknowledged the evolution of coaching in the IPL, with teams appointing coaches for specific roles. He believes this has contributed to the improvement of Indian players, who benefit from exposure to top coaches.
As for his new role with PBKS, Ponting will prioritize identifying players for retention ahead of the next season. Key performers from last season include Harshal Patel, Shashank Singh, and Ashutosh Sharma. The squad also boasts notable talents like Arshdeep Singh, Jitesh Sharma, Rahul Chahar, and overseas players like Sam Curran, Liam Livingstone, Jonny Bairstow, and Kagiso Rabada.
With the retirement of Shikhar Dhawan, Ponting and the team management will also need to appoint a new captain.
Tags: #RickyPonting, #DelhiCapitals, #PunjabKings, #IPL, #Coaching
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