Ricky Ponting’s Coaching Alliance With The IPL And Australia Creates Positive Waves

Ricky Ponting’s coaching association in the Indian Premier League with champions Mumbai Indians earlier, has infused a new leaf in order to pave a way for the former Australia cricketer to become a serious personality in the management role.
Come 2018, ‘Punter’ has already been appointed as the head coach of Delhi Daredevils in the IPL besides also being selected to assist Australian coach Darren Lehmann in next month’s Twenty20 tri-series against England and New Zealand. Ponting is expected to add a lot of charisma in his new profile and bring in bags of experience as one of the best ever cricketers the game ever had.
The former Australian skipper worked with the national team against Sri Lanka last year and based on the skill set he brings, joining Lehmann’s backroom staff once again was in the offing. Similarly, the success he had in coaching Mumbai Indians in 2015 and 2016 was the reason behind his elevation as Delhi’s head coach for the upcoming season. The team no doubt will be hoping to benefit from the legend’s knowledge of the game and using his direction to do well.
This is a timely association for the 43-year-old Ponting, who will no doubt be wanting to set the standards high and gain experience in order to prepare himself for a bigger assignment in the coming years. With over 27000 runs in Tests and ODIs, that also had a total of 71 centuries combined, Ponting no wonder is being touted as the next big thing in management.
Here is a look at what is in offer for both Australia and Delhi, besides what could be in store for the former player post 2019.
Australia: Ponting’s decision to assist Lehmann in the pivotal T20I series could not have come at a better time. He already has enough knowledge about the Australian team and giving his handy insights is an attribute that will bode well for Steve Smith’s side. Ponting’s Australian job has a connection with the IPL especially after leading Mumbai to the 2015 IPL trophy. His success there is a factor that the Aussies want to implement in the national scenario.
According to Lehmann, Ponting’s T20 knowledge will be a boon for the side and it is an opportunity they could not miss out on. Speaking to the BBC, Lehmann said: “It’s an exciting prospect for us, as coaches, to have the chance to take advantage of Ricky’s Twenty20 knowledge and, for the players, the chance to work with one of Australia’s all-time greats will be just as exciting for them.” The Aussies will be looking to overcome both England and the Kiwis, who are higher than them in the T20I rankings.
This is a format the Aussies want to develop themselves and surge ahead. Ponting’s inclusion in the coaching role is a step forward in this regard.
Australia T20I Ranking: 7th
Indian Premier League: Delhi’s timely call on selecting Ponting as their head coach already sees them in a better place than the rest. The three-time world cup winner’s success at MI both as a player and a coach is a feat very few can boast about. He had a winning percentage of 55,17 as a coach for Mumbai during his reign there. Ponting was loved by the players as he brought inspiration to the side and developed young players besides promoting an entertaining brand of cricket.
He had a two-year contract with the franchise and they decided to rope in Mahela Jayawardene as the new head coach last year. This in turn has benefitted Delhi, who are in desperate need of performing well and win a maiden IPL title. He replaces Paddy Upton and will be looking to get the right players in during the auctions, which is his first task and getting the side to perform to his standards would be a huge boost.
What is in store for the future: With Lehmann going to bid adieu to Australian management in 2019 post the Ashes, Ponting could be the next head coach. He is definitely one of the leading candidates for the job and helping the side in T20Is is being considered as a stepping stone to a permanent position in all three formats. Also with the ICC T20I World Cup in 2020, Ponting looks like the best option.
“I’ve had discussions with Cricket Australia for a long time about getting involved somewhere in some way shape or form,” cricket.com.au, quoted the former Australia captain, as saying recently. The Australian management will be monitoring his contributions as a coach in his upcoming endeavours to make a decision once Lehmann leaves. Being said that more success in the IPL could also put his stakes higher in getting more recognition.