Ricky Ponting has revealed that he received an approach to become India’s next head coach. Despite his interest in the role, he indicated that it is currently an “unlikely” option due to the commitment required.
Ponting expressed his desire to coach a national team but noted that his existing commitments—head coach of Delhi Capitals and his television work in Australia—make it difficult to take on the role at this time.
“I’ve seen a lot of reports about it,” Ponting told the ICC Review. “Normally these things pop up on social media before you even know about them. But there were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to gauge my interest in the job.
“I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with my other commitments and wanting to spend time at home… everyone knows if you take a job with the Indian team, involvement in an IPL team isn’t possible, so that would also be a factor.”
“A national head coach position is a 10- or 11-month-a-year job, and as much as I’d like to do it, it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle right now and the things I enjoy doing.”
The BCCI has also considered Gautam Gambhir for the position. With other names like Stephen Fleming and Justin Langer being linked as well.
Ponting did, however, leave the door slightly open, sharing that his son Fletcher was enthusiastic about the prospect. “My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks at the IPL with me. I mentioned the offer to my son and he said, ‘Just take it dad. We would love to move over there for the next couple of years,'” Ponting said. “They love the culture of cricket in India, but right now it doesn’t fit into my lifestyle.”
In addition to his role with the Delhi Capitals, Ponting is the head of strategy at Hobart Hurricanes and head coach of Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC). He has a two-year deal with the MLC. Which will follow the T20 World Cup in the USA and West Indies. Ponting has also previously worked with Australia’s T20I and ODI teams.
The BCCI stated that the head coach role will span all three formats for a term starting in July 2024 and ending in December 2027. Dravid began his tenure after the 2021 T20 World Cup and extended it until the upcoming T20 World Cup’s conclusion.
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