May 23rd 2024.
Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has recently revealed that he was approached for the position of head coach for the Indian cricket team. However, he has turned down the offer as it doesn't align with his current lifestyle.
Ponting, who has previously served as the interim T20 coach for Australia, stated that there were some informal discussions about the role during the Indian Premier League (IPL) season. However, he did not mention if the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) was the one who approached him.
During an interview with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting said, "There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to gauge my interest in the role." He also expressed his desire to be the head coach of a national team, but due to his other commitments, he couldn't take up the offer. As per the rules, a coach of the Indian team cannot be involved with an IPL team, which further added to Ponting's decision.
He further explained, "Being a national head coach is a full-time job, which takes up around 10 to 11 months of the year. As much as I would like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my current lifestyle and the things that I enjoy doing." Ponting also mentioned that he had a conversation with his son about the offer, and he was keen on moving to India with his family.
"My family and kids have been with me for the past five weeks during the IPL, and they come over every year. I did mention it to my son, and he said, 'Just take it, dad. We would love to move there for the next couple of years'," Ponting shared. He also added that his family loves the culture of cricket in India, but at the moment, it is not feasible for him.
There have been speculations about several other high-profile names, like Stephen Fleming, Justin Langer, and Gautam Gambhir, being considered for the role. However, Ponting believes that it is unlikely for him to take up the position due to the reasons he has mentioned.
"I have seen a few other names being thrown around, like Justin Langer and Stephen Fleming. Gautam Gambhir's name has been mentioned in the last couple of days as well. However, for me, it is unlikely, considering the reasons I have shared," Ponting stated. The BCCI has set May 27 as the deadline for submitting applications for the head coach role, which will be vacated by Rahul Dravid after India's T20 World Cup campaign next month.
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