Ishant Sharma considers Ricky Ponting as an older brother due to their strong connection.

After the Delhi Capitals' final league game of the 2024 IPL season, which they won by 19 runs against the Lucknow Super Giants, Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma opened up about his special relationship with DC head coach Ricky Ponting. In an interview, Ishant revealed that Ponting is like an older brother to him, always there to support and guide him.

In Tuesday night's game, where a loss would have ended Delhi's chances of making it to the playoffs, Ishant was the star player. He was named the player of the match for his impressive bowling figures of 3/34 in four overs, which included the crucial wickets of Quinton de Kock, KL Rahul, and Deepak Hooda. His performance gave Delhi a strong start while defending their target of 209 runs.

In a video shared by the IPL on X, Ishant expressed his admiration for Ponting, saying, "We're not just coach and player anymore, he's like an elder brother to me. I can always count on him whenever I need him, and I'm grateful to have him as my coach. He pushes me to try new things and not be afraid of failure, which is a great quality to have in a coach."

Ponting, on the other hand, reminisced about his early days of coaching Ishant and their fierce competition on the field. He shared, "We were fierce competitors on the field, as you would expect from a young Indian fast bowler trying to prove himself. I remember he gave me a tough time at the WACA before eventually getting me out. It's been a pleasure to coach and work with him."

The former Australian captain also praised Ishant's leadership skills and their strong bond, saying, "He's a great guy, and we've become very close over the years. We have a lot of respect for each other, and he has done an exceptional job leading our bowling attack for the past four to five years."

Currently, Delhi is placed fifth in the points table with 14 points in as many matches. Their fate in the tournament will depend on the results of the remaining matches. But regardless of the outcome, Ishant and Ponting's bond will continue to remain strong, both on and off the field.

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