Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has confirmed that he was approached to take on the soon-to-be-vacant head coach position for the Indian national cricket team. However, Ponting has declined the offer, citing that the role does not align with his current lifestyle commitments.
Ponting, who has just completed his seventh season as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), has also served as Australia’s interim T20 coach in the past. The 48-year-old, however, did not disclose whether the approach for the India coaching job came directly from the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).
“There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it,” Ponting told the International Cricket Council (ICC).
“I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home… everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team, you can’t be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well.”
Ponting highlighted the demanding nature of the national head coach role, which would require a 10 to 11-month commitment each year, making it incompatible with his current lifestyle and personal priorities.
“As much as I’d like to do it, it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing,” he added.
The former Australian captain also revealed that he discussed the potential move with his family. His son was enthusiastic about the idea, expressing excitement about moving to India.
“My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it,” Ponting recalled.
“I said, ‘Dad’s been offered the Indian coaching job’ and he said, ‘Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years’.”
Despite the familial support and the allure of coaching one of the world’s most high-profile cricket teams, Ponting decided against taking up the offer. “That’s how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn’t exactly fit into my lifestyle,” he concluded.
With Rahul Dravid set to vacate the head coach position after India’s T20 World Cup campaign next month, the BCCI has been seeking high-profile candidates for the role. Other prominent names in the mix include Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir.
Ponting acknowledged these candidates, stating, “I’ve seen a few other names thrown about as well. Justin Langer’s name got thrown in yesterday, Stephen Fleming’s name has been thrown about a little bit. Gautam Gambhir’s name has been thrown around a little bit the last couple of days as well. But I think it’d be unlikely for me just on the reasons that I’ve given there.”
The BCCI has set May 27 as the deadline for submitting applications for the head coach position, ensuring that the new appointee will have adequate time to prepare for the upcoming cricketing seasons and international fixtures.
As Ponting remains committed to his family and other interests, the search for India’s next head coach continues, with the BCCI aiming to secure a leader capable of taking Indian cricket to new heights.
