Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricket captain and legendary batsman, has expressed his eagerness to return to coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL) for the 2025 season. This announcement comes shortly after his departure from the Delhi Capitals following a disappointing performance in the IPL 2024 season. Ponting, who has had extensive experience in both playing and coaching in the league, sees a promising future and is enthusiastic about seizing upcoming opportunities.
Ponting’s association with the Delhi Capitals began in 2018, but despite his best efforts, he could not lead the team to clinch the league title over his seven-season tenure. Reflecting on his time with the Capitals, Ponting shared, “I’d love to coach again in the IPL. I’ve had a great time every year that I’ve been involved, whether that was in the early days as a player or the couple of years I had at Mumbai as head coach there. I’ve had seven seasons at Delhi, which unfortunately didn’t really work out the way that I would have wanted and certainly the way that the franchise would have wanted.”
He acknowledged the challenges he faced at Delhi, emphasizing his initial goal to secure a trophy for the team, which ultimately did not materialize. “Me going there was all about trying to bring some silverware to the team and that didn’t happen. But I’m really thankful for my time that I had there, met some great people, worked with some great people and obviously worked with some great players through the years as well,” Ponting elaborated.
Despite the setbacks, Ponting remains optimistic and excited about future coaching opportunities in the IPL. “There could be a few opportunities for me popping up in the next couple of months and I’d love to be back coaching in the IPL again next season,” he revealed.
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In recent times, Ponting’s name has also been associated with various international coaching roles, most notably the position of England’s white-ball coach. However, Ponting has firmly ruled out any interest in taking up international coaching responsibilities, at least for the foreseeable future. He elaborated on his stance during the ICC Review podcast: “No, I wouldn’t ever consider doing that actually. I’m on record saying that international jobs, for me, right now, are not really where my life is at, as there’s just so much more time taken up with an international job.”
He further explained that the commitment and travel demands associated with international coaching do not align with his current life circumstances. “Coaching other international teams is one thing, coaching England for an Australian is probably something slightly different, but right now there’s sort of enough on my plate as I’ve got a bit more coming up in the next couple of months in the UK,” Ponting stated.
Ponting’s extensive experience and success in cricket, both as a player and a coach, have made him a sought-after figure in the cricketing world. His decision to focus on IPL coaching rather than international roles reflects his preference for the shorter, more intense nature of the league, which allows him to stay close to the action while also maintaining a better work-life balance.
The possibility of Ponting returning to the IPL coaching arena has already generated excitement among fans and teams alike. Teams seeking a seasoned coach with a deep understanding of the game and a proven track record are likely to keep a keen eye on Ponting as they prepare for the 2025 season.
As the countdown to the IPL 2025 begins, all eyes will be on Ricky Ponting to see which team he will join and how he will steer them towards potential glory. His dedication, expertise, and passion for the game make him a valuable asset to any team looking to make a mark in one of the most competitive T20 leagues in the world.
