Delhi Capitals have announced the departure of head coach Ricky Ponting after a seven-year tenure without securing an IPL championship. The franchise is considering the possibility of current Team Director Sourav Ganguly taking on the role of head coach in the upcoming season. In a heartfelt post on their official social media handle, DC expressed gratitude for Ponting’s emphasis on care, commitment, attitude, and effort during their time together. Despite the emotional tribute, it has been reported that Ponting’s performance did not meet the management’s expectations, leading to his exit after seven years.
Ponting, a former World Cup-winning Australian captain, joined Delhi Capitals in 2018. While the team made their first final appearance in 2021, subsequent seasons did not yield the desired results.
According to a source close to the DC management, Ponting was informed that his tenure would not be extended due to the team’s failure to win a championship in seven years. The management wanted Ponting to be more involved in the auction process and team building, rather than joining the team shortly before the start of the IPL.
Thank you, Ricky!pic.twitter.com/D6gt7UbLpW
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) July 13, 2024
It is yet to be determined whether DC will appoint a new head coach or assign the role to Ganguly. Assistant coach Praveen Amre is expected to continue in his position.
The DC co-owners, JSW and GMR group, are set to hold a meeting at the end of the month or early next month to discuss future plans.
Player retention will also be a topic of discussion, with only four spots available. This may result in either Jake-Fraser McGurk or Tristan Stubbs being released, as there is only one overseas slot left.
For Indian players, the retention choices are likely to include captain Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav as key figures.
A mega auction is on the horizon for IPL 2025, and some players from each franchise may choose to enter the auction to test their market value.
@Cricbun
