May 23, 2024

Ricky Ponting Says No To India Head Coach Job. Explains Reason – Indian Premier League

Some other high-profile names such as Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir.

Australia great Ricky Ponting has revealed that he was approached for the soon-to-be-vacant India head coach position. Still, he has declined the offer as it doesn’t fit into his “lifestyle” right now. Ponting, who recently completed seven seasons as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals IPL franchise, has been Australia’s interim T20 coach. He did not say whether the feelers for India’s position came from the BCCI. “…there were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it,” Ponting told the ICC.

“I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home…everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team, you can’t be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well.

“Also, a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of the 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 that I really enjoy doing,” he added.

Ponting said he discussed the offer with his son, and he seemed game for a move to India.

“My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it,” he recalled.

“I said, ‘Dad’s been offered the Indian coaching job’ and he said, ‘Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years’,” Ponting quipped.

“That’s how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn’t exactly fit into my lifestyle,” he added.

Some other high-profile names such as Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming, Lucknow Super Giants head coach Justin Langer, and Kolkata Knight Riders mentor Gautam Gambhir have also been talked about as potential candidates for the position that Rahul Dravid will vacate after India’s T20 World Cup campaign next month.

The BCCI has set May 27 as the last date for submitting applications.

“I’ve seen a few other names thrown about as well. Justin Langer’s name got thrown in yesterday, Stephen Fleming’s name has been thrown about a little bit,” Ponting noted.

“Gautam Gambhir’s name has been thrown around a little bit the last couple of days as well. But I think it’d be unlikely for me just on the reasons that I’ve given there.”

“Just Retired”: Dinesh Karthik’s Swansong Confirmed By IPL Broadcaster

Royal Challengers Bengaluru wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik played his final IPL game in the Eliminator loss against Rajasthan Royals on Wednesday.

Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) stalwart Dinesh Karthik concluded his Indian Premier League (IPL) career with a defeat in the Eliminator match against Rajasthan Royals (RR) on Wednesday. Karthik, who had already hinted that this IPL would be his last, received a guard of honor from his teammates after the match’s conclusion in Ahmedabad. Though Karthik himself didn’t speak on the topic, the league’s broadcaster confirmed the news of his retirement with a social media post after the Eliminator contest. Karthik, who made his debut in the T20 league 16 years ago, remains one of the finest finishers in this format of the sport.

Taking to social media, Jio Cinema, IPL’s digital broadcaster, paid tribute to the RCB wicket-keeper batter, who has one title in the league.

Karthik removed his gloves and acknowledged the fans as RCB players went around the stadium, thanking the spectators for their support.

Soon, a moment to savor for the RCB fans unfolded; Virat Kohli embraced Karthik, who seemed to be struggling to fight back his emotions.

As Karthik walked back towards the dressing room, Karthik received a guard of honor from the RCB players.

Karthik ends his IPL career with 4,842 runs in 257 matches, studded with a whopping 22 fifties. In his illustrious IPL career, which spanned over 17 years, Karthik played for six franchises in the cash-rich league.

He debuted in the inaugural season of 2008 with the Delhi Daredevils (now Delhi Capitals). 

He switched to Punjab in 2011 and went on to play for the Mumbai Indians, Gujarat Lions, Kolkata Knight Riders, and the RCB.

He ended the ongoing season with 326 runs in 15 matches at an average of 36.22 and a mouth-watering strike rate of 187.36.

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