Ricky Ponting has stepped down as Delhi Capitals head coach, the franchise announced on Sunday. Ponting served as the DC’s chief coach for seven seasons after he was appointed back in 2018.
Under Ponting’s tutelage, DC reached the IPL 2020 final in Shreyas Iyer’s captaincy but the team could not get over the line against Mumbai Indians.
“Dear Ricky, as you move on as our Head Coach, we find it incredibly hard to put this down in words,” the franchise stated in an X post. “The four things you told us about in every huddle – care, commitment, attitude and effort – they sum up our seven summers together.
“Seven summers of you being hands-on, but also hands-off, so that we could become better. As athletes, yes, but more importantly, as human beings. Seven summers of you reaching every training session first, and leaving last. Seven summers of you sprinting out of the dugouts during strategic timeouts, and biting your nails off unless there were none left. Seven summers of your dressing room speeches, seven summers of your hugs, shoulder pats and fist pumps for us – newcomers, superstar… and everyone in between.
“Thank you for everything, coach! Like you often close out, “Let’s leave this here, lets grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?”
DC is yet to announce Ponting’s successor. Meanwhile, Ponting was able to get the best out of the players and under his coaching stint, Rishabh Pant has grown in confidence.
DC finished IPL 2024 at the sixth place with seven wins and as many losses in 14 games and thus failed to qualify for the playoffs.
