Ricky Ponting reveals he was approached for Indian cricket team Head Coach role
Former Australian World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting has revealed that he was offered to opportunity to become India's Head Coach during the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2021, UAE leg.
Former cricketer and well known commentator was appointed India's Head Coach on a 2-year deal in 2017, which was extended by 2 more years till the end of the T20 World Cup 2021.
With Ravi Shastri set to turn 60-years-old next year, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was in the hunt of a Head Coach who could succeed Ravi Shastri. And after a long procedure, former Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid has been appointed the new Indian cricket team Head Coach.
However, as per former Australian cricketer and current Delhi Capitals Head Coach, Rahul Dravid was not the only one considered for the job, but Ricky Ponting was also approached.
Ricky Ponting was offered India's Head Coach Role
Ricky Ponting during a chit chat with The Grade Cricketers podcast, revealed that he had conversation with some people about taking up the Indian cricket team Head Coach job, and they were "hent bent" on getting Ponting.
Ricky Ponting however declined the job offer as he believes that taking up the job means he would have had to spend about 300 days in India and would have also had to leave his job at Channel 7 and his Head Coach role at Delhi Capitals.
Ricky Ponting has revealed he was approached for the Team India head coach role but turned it down as he didn't want to spend 300+ days on the road away from his young family 🏏🇮🇳🇦🇺#India #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/CzWSbxpUbA
— Sportskeeda India (@Sportskeeda) November 18, 2021
He stated, "But [in this job] I am living in India for 300 days a year. Yeah, look I had a couple of conversations with some people during the IPL about it."
Ricky Ponting as a Head Coach
Ricky Ponting has proven his credentials as a Head Coach, having managed to changed the complete Delhi team in the IPL. The team, who have barely been near to the top 4, have managed to reach the playoffs thrice, all under Ricky Ponting as Head Coach. They also reached the Final of the IPL 2020, only to lose to Mumbai Indians.
Ponting has achieved various feats as a player as well, having won the 50 over World Cup 2 times and is regarded as one of best captain's for the Australian cricket team.