Ricky Ponting turns down India coaching job offer due to current lifestyle constraints, says it doesn’t align with his priorities at the moment

Ricky Ponting, the Australian cricket legend and current head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has revealed that he was approached by the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) to be the head coach of the Indian cricket team. However, Ponting turned down the offer citing that it did not fit into his current lifestyle.

The BCCI is currently on the lookout for a new coach to replace Rahul Dravid, whose contract ends after the upcoming T20 World Cup in the USA and the Caribbean. Dravid’s contract was originally set to end after last year’s Cricket World Cup hosted by India, but he and his staff were given an extension till the T20 World Cup by the BCCI.

In an interview with the ICC, Ponting shared, “I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home… everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team you can’t be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well.”

Ponting further explained, “Also, a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of the year job, and 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.”

Despite turning down the offer, Ponting mentioned that he had seen a few other names being thrown around for the position, including Justin Langer, Stephen Fleming, and Gautam Gambhir. However, he believes it would be unlikely for him to take up the role due to his current commitments and lifestyle.

Interestingly, Ponting shared that when he discussed the offer with his son Fletcher, the young boy encouraged him to take it up so that they could move to India for a few years. Ponting’s family has spent time in India during his coaching stints with the Delhi Capitals, and they have grown to love the cricket culture in the country.

It’s worth noting that Ponting was also approached by the BCCI for the head coach position before it was offered to Dravid. In a previous interview on ‘The Grade Cricketer’ podcast in 2021, Ponting mentioned that he had conversations with people during the IPL about the India head coach’s position, and they were keen on finding a way to make it work.

While Ponting’s decision to decline the offer may come as a surprise to many cricket fans, it reflects his priorities and current commitments. As the BCCI continues its search for a new coach, the speculation around potential candidates will surely keep fans and experts intrigued.

Overall, Ponting’s revelation adds an interesting twist to the ongoing discussions about the future of Indian cricket coaching, and it highlights the complexities and considerations that top coaches like Ponting have to weigh when considering such prestigious roles.