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Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has recently been appointed as Head Coach for Punjab Kings ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025. The two-time ODI World Cup winning captain has signed a multi-year contract with the Punjab-based franchise after he ended his stint with Delhi Capitals in July 2024. He was a part of DC from 2018 to 2024.
After enjoying immense success in his cricketing career as a player, Ricky Ponting also went on to become a great coach. Under his stint, Mumbai Indians won their second IPL title in 2015, while Delhi Capitals qualified for the playoffs in 2019 and reached their first-ever IPL final in 2020. With Ricky Ponting as head coach, Washington Freedom also emerged as champions in the second edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024.
Ricky Ponting as Head Coach
Ricky Ponting announced retirement from international cricket in 2012. He retired as a greatest captain in world cricket, who led Australia to four ICC titles, including two ODI World Cups (2003 and 2007), and two Champions Trophy titles (2006 and 2009). After retirement, Ponting took different coaching roles throughout these years.
Ricky Ponting has served as a head coach for Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in the IPL. Apart from that, he also served as an interim head coach for the Australian cricket team from 2017 to 2018. In 2024, Ricky Ponting was also appointed as head coach for Washington Freedom ahead of the MLC 2024 and guided the franchise to their maiden title.
Let’s have a look at Ricky Ponting’s coaching journey throughout the years.
Mumbai Indians: 2014-2016
Post his retirement from international cricket, Ricky Ponting began his coaching career with his former IPL franchise, Mumbai Indians (MI). He played his last IPL season as a player for MI in 2013 where he stepped down from the captaincy mid-season and gave it to Rohit Sharma. Ponting joined the Mumbai-based franchise in an advisory role in IPL 2014. His first stint as a head coach was a challenging one, however, MI still managed to qualify for the playoffs after a dramatic encounter against Rajasthan Royals. With Ricky Ponting as a head coach, Mumbai Indians also won their second IPL title in 2015.
Mumbai Indians with Ricky Ponting as Head Coach
Australian Cricket Team (Interim): 2017-2018
Ricky Ponting also served as an interim head coach of the Australian cricket team. He was appointed as a head coach during Australia’s tour of Sri Lanka in 2017. However, it didn’t turn out to be a great experience for Ponting as Australia coach as the team lost the three-match T20I series by 1-2 margin. Apart from that, Ricky Ponting also took over as head coach for Australia for the 2018 T20I Tri-Series along with New Zealand and England, where Australia emerged as champions.
Delhi Capitals: 2018-2024
Ricky Ponting had his longest coaching stint with Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. He joined Delhi Capitals (formerly known as Delhi Daredevils) as a head coach ahead of IPL 2018. His first season as DC head coach didn’t turn out to be a memorable one as the team finished last in the points table. However, with Ricky Ponting as a head coach, things started to change for Delhi Capitals as they reached the IPL playoffs after seven years in 2019 and qualified for their first-ever IPL final in 2020.
In IPL 2021, Delhi Capitals also finished the league stage as table toppers but ended up losing against Chennai Super Kings and Kolkata Knight Riders in the playoffs respectively. However, they haven’t been able to finish in the top four in the last three editions of the IPL. Ricky Ponting ended his stint with Delhi Capitals after the IPL 2024 and has played a major role in the growth of the franchise in the last six years.
Delhi Capitals with Ricky Ponting as Head Coach
Washington Freedom (2024-present)
Ricky Ponting signed a two-year contract with Washington Freedom as a head coach on February 6, 2024. In Ponting’s first year as head coach, Washington Freedom were crowned champions in the second edition of the Major League Cricket (MLC) in 2024.
Washington Freedom with Ricky Ponting as Head Coach
Punjab Kings (starting from 2025)
Now, Ricky Ponting will begin his new journey with Punjab Kings (PBKS) as head coach in IPL 2025. After reaching their first-ever final in 2014, PBKS haven’t been able to even qualify for the playoffs from the last years in the IPL. Now, they will be looking to change their fortunes in the upcoming season. It will be interesting to see where will PBKS finish in IPL 2025 with Ricky Ponting as head coach.
Ricky Ponting's major achievements as Head Coach
Won the IPL 2015 title.
Reached the final of IPL 2020.
Won the Major League Cricket 2024 title with Washington Freedom.
