Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has disclosed that he was approached to take up the position of India's next head cricket coach. However, due to the demands of this high-profile role and his current commitments, Ponting is unlikely to pursue it. At 49 years old, he currently serves as the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League, with additional television commitments in Australia. Furthermore, he holds the role of head of strategy at Hobart Hurricanes for Australia's Big Bash League and is also the head coach of Washington Freedom in the US Major League Cricket tournament.
Ponting acknowledged the discussions, stating, "I've seen a lot of reports about it," and elaborated, "There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to gauge my interest." He emphasized that taking on the Indian coaching role would preclude involvement with an IPL team, a factor that would be influential in his decision-making process.
He explained that the national coach position would demand dedicating up to 11 months of the year to the job, expressing, "As much as I'd like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing."
The coaching role for India is set to become available after the T20 World Cup in June, with the Board of Control for Cricket in India in search of a replacement until the next 50-over World Cup in 2027. India's last global title victory was in 2013 under their previous foreign coach, Duncan Fletcher of Zimbabwe.
Reports from local media have indicated that former India batsman Gautam Gambhir, former New Zealand skipper Stephen Fleming, and Australian Justin Langer have also been approached for the position. Ponting shared his son's excitement at the prospect, saying, "I had a whisper to my son about it, and I said, 'Dad's been offered the Indian coaching job' and he said, 'Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years'. That's how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn't exactly fit into my lifestyle."
