Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has declined the opportunity to become the head coach of India’s national cricket team.
In discussions with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting revealed that he was approached about the role during the Indian Premier League (IPL). However, he expressed that the extensive commitment required did not align with his current lifestyle.
Ponting’s decision follows Rahul Dravid’s announcement about his resignation as India’s current head coach.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set May 27 as the application deadline for the new coach. Ponting, a cricketing icon, is presently engaged with multiple cricketing commitments. He is the head coach for the Delhi Capitals in the IPL and Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC). Additionally, he contributes as a television analyst in Australia and as head of strategy for the Hobart Hurricanes.
In a conversation with the ICC Review, Ponting shared insights into his informal talks during the IPL concerning his interest in the Indian coaching position. He stated, “I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but the role would require giving up my IPL involvement and dedicating nearly the whole year, which doesn’t fit with the other things I enjoy or my desire to spend time at home.”
Ponting also mentioned other potential candidates for the India coaching job, including former IPL coaches Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming, as well as ex-Indian cricketer Gautam Gambhir. Despite the honour of being considered, Ponting reiterated that it is unlikely he will pursue the position due to the reasons he specified.
