Ricky Ponting (Photo Source:Darrian Traynor/Getty Images)
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has invited applications for the role of India’s head coach as incumbent Rahul Dravid’s tenure ends after the completion of the T20 World Cup 2024 in June. According to reports, Ricky Ponting is among the frontrunners who could replace the legendary Indian player in the prestigious role.
Dravid had reportedly informed BCCI that he is unwilling to reapply for the role ahead of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 as he wants to give more time to his family. VVS Laxman, the head coach at the National Cricket Academy (NCA), is unlikely to apply for the position. Reports suggest that BCCI isn’t too keen to change the NCA set-up.
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Ponting, who has been serving as the head coach of Delhi Capitals since 2018, previously worked in the same role for Mumbai Indians from 2014 to 2016. He helped Mumbai Indians win the IPL title in 2015. The former Australian captain has a lot of experience of working in Indian cricket and could be a great choice as the next head coach of the national team. He has been informally sounded out by the BCCI. Meanwhile, Chennai Super Kings head coach Stephen Fleming is also on BCCI’s radar. However, the responses from their sides haven’t been very positive. The new head coach will have to be with the team for about 10 months a year and that is not an easy task.
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As per the latest reports, India could be welcoming a foreigner as their head coach after a long time. In the past, the likes of John Wright and Gary Kirsten have brought remarkable success for the Men in Blue. Under Wright, India made it to the finals of the 2003 ODI World Cup. Meanwhile, Kirsten coached the Asian giants to the 2011 ODI World Cup title, ending a 28-year wait. May 27 is the deadline for submitting applications for the head coach’s role. The next few weeks are going to be very crucial for Indian cricket.