Australia cricket legend Ricky Ponting has disclosed that he was approached for the soon-to-be-vacant position of India’s head coach but has turned down the opportunity, stating that it doesn’t align with his current lifestyle. Ponting, who recently completed seven seasons as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals IPL franchise, has previously served as Australia’s interim T20 coach. However, he did not specify whether the offer for the India position came directly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
Ponting revealed, “There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to gauge my interest in the role.” He expressed his desire to be a senior coach of a national team but highlighted the demands of the job, which would conflict with his personal commitments, including his involvement in the Indian Premier League (IPL).
Acknowledging the extensive time commitment required for the role of a national head coach, Ponting emphasized that it doesn’t currently fit into his lifestyle and the activities he enjoys. Despite his family’s enthusiasm for a potential move to India, Ponting emphasized that the timing isn’t right for him.
Meanwhile, several other high-profile names have emerged as potential candidates for the position, including Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir. These discussions come in light of Rahul Dravid’s impending departure from the role after India’s T20 World Cup campaign next month.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set May 27 as the deadline for receiving applications for the head coach position. Ponting acknowledged the speculation surrounding other candidates, including Langer, Fleming, and Gambhir, but hinted at the unlikelihood of his candidacy due to his lifestyle considerations.