Cricket

With the departure of Rick Ponting as head coach of the Delhi Capitals ahead of the 2024 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, the franchise is reportedly eyeing Yuvraj Singh as his replacement. Yuvraj, a legendary Indian middle-order batter, has limited top-tier coaching experience but is highly regarded for his cricketing acumen and leadership qualities.The Delhi Capitals are keen to replicate the success of the Gujarat Titans, who appointed Ashish Nehra as their head coach last season. Nehra, who was initially linked with a move away from GT, is now expected to remain with the franchise. This has prompted the Capitals to turn their attention to Yuvraj, who is seen as a potential replacement for Ponting.Yuvraj's extensive playing experience, including 40 Tests, 304 ODIs, and 58 T20Is, makes him a valuable asset to any coaching staff. He was a key member of India's victorious campaigns in the 2007 ICC World T20 and the 2011 ODI World Cup.If Yuvraj accepts the role, he will have the support of Sourav Ganguly, who is the Director of Cricket Operations at the Delhi Capitals. Ganguly was initially considered for the coaching position but ultimately decided against it.Yuvraj has unofficially mentored players like Abhishek Sharma and Shubman Gill, helping them improve their game. His ability to inspire and motivate young players could prove invaluable to the Delhi Capitals.Whether Yuvraj can replicate his success as a player in the coaching role remains to be seen. However, his appointment would undoubtedly add experience and star power to the Delhi Capitals' coaching staff.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has ruled out the possibility of becoming England's next men's white-ball coach, citing time constraints and a desire to return to coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Ponting's decision comes after Matthew Mott's departure as England's white-ball coach, leaving a vacancy for a prominent figure in the cricketing world. Despite his seven-year stint with the Delhi Capitals ending this year, Ponting is not yet ready to commit to full-time coaching at the international level."International jobs for me right now are not really where my life is at," Ponting said in an interview with The ICC Review show. "I've got other commitments, with my TV work and things that I do, and I'm trying to balance that out with having a decent amount of home time."Ponting, who also worked as Mumbai Indians head coach, recently led the Washington Freedom to victory in the second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC). He has another year on his contract with the team in the USA and is hopeful of securing an IPL coaching contract ahead of the 2025 season."I'd love to coach again in the IPL," Ponting said. "I've had a great time every year that I've been involved, whether that was as a player or as a head coach."Ponting also revealed that the Delhi Capitals will likely appoint an Indian coach as their next head coach. "They made it pretty clear that they wanted to head in a different direction with someone that could give them a bit more time and availability through the off-season," he said.Despite his decision to decline the England coaching role, Ponting remains open to other coaching opportunities in the future. "There could be a few opportunities for me popping up in the next couple of months," he said. "I'd love to be back coaching in the IPL again next season."

Ricky Ponting, the former head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has shed light on his decision to move on from Prithvi Shaw, citing the latter's inability to meet team expectations. Shaw, once a promising talent in Indian cricket, has struggled to maintain his form, leading to his omission from the Delhi Capitals' playing eleven during the IPL 2024 season.Ponting expressed his disappointment in Shaw's situation, acknowledging his exceptional skills and potential. However, he emphasized that despite multiple discussions and efforts to improve Shaw's cricketing abilities, the player had not met the team's expectations. Ponting stated, "When you feel like you're not making players better and they're not doing what you need for the team, then you've got to look for other players that can do it for you."Ponting's comments highlight the challenges faced by coaches in developing players and the limitations of their influence. He acknowledged that Shaw is still a young and talented player, expressing hope that he will eventually realize his potential.As the Delhi Capitals prepare for the IPL 2025 season, speculation about Shaw's future with the team has arisen. It remains uncertain whether he will be retained, given the strategic planning underway ahead of the mega auction.

Rishabh Pant's Future with Delhi Capitals Uncertain, Chennai Super Kings Emerge as Potential DestinationIndian wicket-keeper batter Rishabh Pant's future with the Delhi Capitals (DC) is in doubt ahead of the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season, according to a report by Dainik Jagran. Despite being the franchise's most capped player and leading run-scorer, DC may not retain Pant despite support from Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly.The report suggests that if Pant is released by DC, his most likely destination will be the Chennai Super Kings (CSK). With MS Dhoni set to retire in the near future, CSK is on the lookout for an Indian wicket-keeper batter and would be highly interested in signing a talented player like Pant.Pant's departure from DC would be a significant loss for the franchise. He has been a key player for the team since his debut in 2016, scoring over 2,500 runs and taking over 150 catches. However, DC may be looking to rebuild their squad ahead of the mega auction and may not be willing to retain Pant's high salary.Meanwhile, CSK would welcome Pant's addition to their team. The franchise has a strong track record of success in the IPL, winning four titles, and Pant's experience and talent would be a valuable asset.In addition to Pant's potential move, the article also highlights the impact of the IPL on Indian cricket. Shivam Dube, who played a crucial role in India's T20 World Cup victory, credits the IPL for improving his skills and gaining confidence.The IPL provides a platform for young players to showcase their talent and learn from some of the best players in the world. It has played a significant role in the development of Indian cricket and has helped produce a new generation of talented players.

Delhi Capitals Eye Former World Cup Winners for Coaching StaffAfter parting ways with Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are reportedly seeking to bolster their coaching and support staff with two former World Cup winners. The franchise is aiming to revamp its team ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.Sources close to DC have indicated that Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly is unlikely to assume the coaching role. Instead, the team is searching for an individual who actively follows the cricket circuit, similar to Gautam Gambhir."Ganguly has numerous responsibilities as Director of Cricket. The team requires a hands-on coach who closely monitors the circuit, like Gautam Gambhir," said an anonymous source to News 18. "His success as a mentor is not surprising."DC is determined to avoid a stop-gap arrangement for the head coach position, especially after the mega auction that will initiate a new cycle. A meeting between DC's higher-ups is scheduled after the conclusion of the ongoing Major League Cricket season in the USA.Despite reaching the IPL final in 2020, the Capitals have struggled to qualify for the playoffs since then. They finished sixth among 10 teams in IPL 2024.However, three DC players played key roles in India's victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign: Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. All three are likely to be retained by DC ahead of the mega auction, along with Australian star Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Ricky Ponting's seven-year tenure as head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise looks to revamp its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.Ponting joined DC in 2018, when the team was known as the Delhi Daredevils. Under his guidance, the team experienced a rollercoaster of results. In his first season, DC finished at the bottom of the league standings. However, they bounced back in 2019, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time under Ponting's leadership.DC continued their playoff streak in 2020 and 2021, reaching the finals in 2020. However, they fell short of the ultimate prize, losing to the Mumbai Indians. In the last three seasons, DC failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing sixth in 2024 with a 7-7 record.Sources close to the franchise indicate that the owners were not satisfied with the team's recent performances and decided to part ways with Ponting. The decision was made after careful consideration and a desire to bring in a fresh perspective.Ponting's departure marks the end of an era for DC. He was a respected figure within the team and played a significant role in their development. However, the franchise believes that a change in leadership is necessary to achieve their long-term goals.DC is expected to announce Ponting's replacement in the coming weeks. The new head coach will have the task of rebuilding the team and guiding them to success in the upcoming IPL seasons.

David Warner, the seasoned Australian cricketer, recently shared his heartfelt experiences in an episode of the Delhi Capitals Podcast. The three-time World Cup winner, who recently became Australia's leading run-scorer in T20Is, spoke candidly about his time with the Delhi-based franchise, his love for India, and his last World Cup for Australia.Warner expressed his gratitude towards Delhi Capitals for giving him opportunities at both the beginning and end of his career. He recalled the guidance he received from legendary players like AB de Villiers, Glenn McGrath, and Daniel Vettori during his early days with the franchise.Reflecting on his last World Cup for Australia, Warner acknowledged the need for young talent to emerge and strengthen the team's future. He emphasized the importance of passing on his experience and knowledge to the younger generation.Warner's love for India is evident in his social media presence, where he often shares videos of himself dancing to Indian music and speaking in Hindi. He expressed his admiration for Indian culture, describing it as "organized chaos."Warner's passion for Indian cinema is also apparent. When asked to choose his favorite Indian film, he struggled to pick just one, citing the exceptional performances of actors in films like Baahubali, Pushpa, and KGF.Warner's commitment to the Delhi Capitals and his love for India have made him a fan favorite. His contributions on and off the field have left a lasting impact on the franchise and the country he has come to embrace.

KKR's Triumph Sparks Heartwarming Moment Between Pant and Rinku SinghIn the aftermath of Kolkata Knight Riders' (KKR) triumph in the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024, a touching moment unfolded on the field as Delhi Capitals skipper Rishabh Pant extended his heartfelt congratulations to KKR star Rinku Singh.The camaraderie between the two Team India teammates was evident in a video shared by KKR on social media. Pant, who is currently in the USA for the T20 World Cup, conveyed his best wishes to Singh for KKR's IPL victory."Time for a 'Rishu Bhaiya-Rinku' reunion in the USA!" KKR captioned the video.Singh expressed his excitement about joining Pant in the USA, saying, "Bhaiya, I am coming [to US] on 28th." The bond between the two players shone through, showcasing the spirit of camaraderie and friendship among cricketers.Singh, who is part of the India reserve squad for the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies, played a crucial role in KKR's successful campaign in the IPL 2024. His heartwarming interaction with Pant serves as a reminder of the strong bond shared by players across different teams, even amidst fierce competition on the field.The moment between Pant and Singh highlights the importance of sportsmanship and the camaraderie that exists within the cricket fraternity. It also underscores the spirit of unity and support that transcends team loyalties.

Rishabh Pant's remarkable return to cricket after a horrific car crash has left Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting in awe. The dynamic wicketkeeper-batsman has silenced doubters with his impressive performance in the recent IPL season, amassing 446 runs at an average of 40.54 and a strike rate of 155.40. He also claimed 16 dismissals behind the stumps, tied for the most in the tournament.Ponting, who initially had doubts about Pant's ability to play again, has been blown away by his determination and recovery. "It's been nothing short of spectacular," Ponting told The ICC Review. "I had grave fears that he would never play the game again."Pant's dedication to his recovery, supported by the Delhi Capitals franchise and physio Patrick Farhart, has been instrumental in his comeback. Despite concerns about his ability to handle the physical demands of wicketkeeping, Pant has proven his mettle, earning him a spot in India's T20 World Cup squad."No one had real concerns about his batting, but with his wicket-keeping, there were certainly some concerns," Ponting said. "But he's looked after himself incredibly well."Pant's exceptional performance has not only impressed Ponting but also earned him widespread praise. His return to form is a testament to his resilience and the support he has received from his team and loved ones.