Ponting Considered for BCCI Coach Role, Past Issues Persist

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The search for the next head coach of Team India has begun. With the conclusion of the T20 World Cup, the BCCI formally announced on Monday that applications were now open for applicants. This marked the end of the Rahul Dravid era. The BCCI is in a difficult situation because Dravid, who was named the 27th head coach of the Indian national men’s cricket team in November 2021, chose not to pursue a second extension. Additionally, VVS Laxman is likewise hesitant to take on the position, which will cause disruptions at the NCA.

A lot of candidates have surfaced in the media to take Dravid’s place. While Stephen Fleming, the coach of the Chennai Super Kings, has reportedly received informal outreach from the BCCI, Justin Langer shows his interest in the position. The former captain of New Zealand, nevertheless, is not too eager to accept the position. If this is accurate, the board has obviously come around to the idea of hiring a foreign coach, even if it was long opposed.

In the meanwhile, Ricky Ponting, the current coach of the Delhi Capitals, is another option that has been mentioned. According to a RevSportz report, Ponting, a former batter for Australia and one of the most successful commanders in cricket history, has reportedly been sounded off by the BCCI. Ponting may have to overlook this as well, similar to Fleming, because a coach needs to be on the road. It’s a difficult job to be the coach of the Indian cricket team, all the more so in this instance because Dravid’s successor will hold the position until the 2027 World Cup.

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BCCI’s Repeated Interest in Ponting as Coach

If the report is accurate, the board would have sought Ponting for the position twice. Prior to putting a knuckledown on The Wall, Ponting had disclosed that the BCCI had expressed interest in signing Dravid to succeed Ravi Shastri as India’s coach. Ponting had said that he was in talks with a few people who were “hell-bent on making it work” when he was playing for the Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Having a young family, which may serve as a hindrance this time around, caused Ponting to back out of talks to coach the Australian team at the time.

Ponting’s Rich Coaching Experience

In terms of coaching experience, Ponting is by no means lacking. In addition to leading the Capitals since 2021 and mentoring the Mumbai Indians for a season, Ponting has had a number of positions with Australia in the past, including assistant coach for the 2019 World Cup in England and batting consultant on multiple occasions. Ponting had already secured a second coaching position earlier this year, replacing Greg Sheppard with the Washington Freedom of Major League Cricket in the USA.