Credit: X
Ricky Ponting and Delhi Capitals have decided to part ways after a seven-year association in the Indian Premier League (IPL). During his tenure as the head coach, Ricky Ponting had a lot of ups and downs with Delhi Capitals, failing to win the elusive silverware for the franchise despite reaching the IPL final in 2020.
After finishing his first season in charge as the head coach in the IPL in 2018 in eighth and bottom place, Ricky Ponting took Delhi Capitals to three consecutive playoffs from 2019-21. In the last couple of IPL seasons, DC weren’t close to making the playoffs, which prompted the top brass of the franchise to make the tough change.
A close source to Delhi Capitals, told PTI on the conditions of anonymity, “The top brass of Delhi Capitals have intimated to Ricky that they aren't happy that the team didn't win a championship in seven years and they are trying to look at rejigging the support staff. He won't be continuing next year.”
The rest of the DC coaching staff, which includes Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly, assistant coach Pravin Amre, bowling coach James Hopes, and fielding coach Biju George, are expected to continue in their role during the IPL 2025 season.
The official X account of Delhi Capitals sent out a heartfelt post for their outgoing head coach Ricky Ponting, which read, “As you move on as our head coach, we're finding it incredibly hard to put this down in words," DC said in a post on social media. "The four things you told us about in every huddle - care, commitment, attitude and effort - they sum up our seven summers together. Seven summers of you being hands-on, but also hands-off, so that we could become better. As athletes, yes, but more importantly, as human beings. Seven summers of you reaching every training session first, and leaving last. Seven summers of you sprinting out of the dugout during strategic timeouts, and biting your nails off until there were none left.”
"Seven summers of your dressing room speeches - the speeches, Oh! (Separate post for that loading) Seven summers of your hugs, shoulder pats, and fist pumps for us all - newcomer, superstar... and everyone in-between. Thank you for everything, Coach! Like, you often close out, 'Let's leave this here mate, grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?,” DC concluded.
