Ricky Ponting to mentor Kolkata Knight Riders? Former Delhi Capitals coach hints at IPL 2025 return
New Delhi: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting hinted at Indian Premier League (IPL) return in the upcoming season stating he might have a few offers in coming weeks. The two-time World Cup-winning former captain was sacked by Delhi Capitals earlier this year after being at the helm for seven long years. Under Ponting’s guidance, Delhi Capitals qualified for the final in 2020.
While there are no such vacancies at the head coach’s role in any of the franchises, IPL 2024 champions Kolkata Knight Riders need a replacement for Gautam Gambhir at the mentor’s role which has been lying vacant since the former opener became the head coach of the Indian senior team.
Considered as one of the batting greats, Ponting was a part of the KKR squad from 2008 to 2010 as a player and it would benefit the players if the Australian as far as experience and mentorship is concerned. Another aspect that could well work for Ponting is his relationship with Shreyas Iyer, under whom KKR won last season.
It was Iyer who was leading the Delhi Capitals side in 2020 when the franchise made the final. In a chat with Michael Atherton and Nasser Hussain, the 49-year-old revealed that he wasn’t interested in international coaching jobs as he wanted to spend time with his family.
🎙️RICKY PONTING: “There might be a few opportunities coming up in IPL and we’ll see what happens over the next few weeks.” 👀
📰 Again KKR is interested in Ricky Ponting.( Hindustan Times).
Is Ricky Ponting set to join KKR? pic.twitter.com/q1xWluRAtD— KKR Vibe (@KnightsVibe) September 11, 2024
“An international role is not where I am right now. The last two years have been a lot busier than I wanted. This year I have coached in the MLC as well which was a lot of fun. I’ll continue to do that. That was just three and a half weeks,” Ponting said on Sky Sports podcast.
“I finished up with DC as well so there might be a few other opportunities coming in the IPL in the next few week. We’ll see,” he further added. Ponting recently coached Washington Freedom in the Major Cricket League in USA.