IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting Removed As Delhi Capitals Coach, Indian Legend To Take Over The Role

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New Delhi, Jul 13: In a significant development, former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has been removed as the head coach of the Indian Premier League franchise Delhi Capitals after seven dedicated seasons.

Ponting's journey with the Delhi-based franchise began in 2018, coinciding with the team's rechristening from Delhi Daredevils to Delhi Capitals.

Under Ponting's guidance, the Capitals experienced a remarkable transformation. The pinnacle of this journey was in the 2020 IPL season when the team, captained by Shreyas Iyer, reached the final for the first time. However, under the legendary Australian cricketer the franchise failed to lift the elusive trophy.

The franchise shared a farewell post for Ponting, encapsulating the profound impact he had on the team. "Dear Ricky, as you move on as our Head Coach, we're finding it incredibly hard to put this down in words. The four things you told us about in every huddle - care, commitment, attitude and effort - they sum up our seven summers together.

"Seven summers of you being hands-on, but also hands-off, so that we could become better. As athletes, yes, but more importantly, as human beings. Seven summers of you reaching every training session first, and leaving last.

"Seven summers of you sprinting out of the dugout during strategic timeouts, and biting your nails off until there were none left. Seven summers of your dressing room speeches - the speeches, Oh! (Separate post for that loading) Seven summers of your hugs, shoulder pats, and fist pumps for us all - newcomer, superstar... and everyone in-between."

The heartfelt message continued, "Thank you for everything, Coach! Like you often close out, 'Let's leave this here mate, grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?'"

However, the sentimentality of the farewell contrasts sharply with the pragmatism of the franchise's management. A source close to the DC management revealed to PTI on conditions of anonymity, "The top brass of Delhi Capitals have intimated Ricky that they aren't happy that the team didn't win a championship in seven years and they are trying to look at rejigging the support staff. He won't be continuing next year."

As the future of the coaching role cropped up, speculations on whether DC will hire a new head coach or promote Team Director Sourav Ganguly to double up as head coach started doing the rounds. To which, Ganguly himself cleared that he will be taking up the head coach's role ahead of the IPL 2025 season.

In a candid interaction with Bengali newspaper Aajkal, Ganguly expressed his intentions, "I have to plan for next year's IPL. I want to win the IPL for Delhi Capitals once. The mega auction is next year, and hence I have started planning from now on. Let me break a news.

"Ricky Ponting will not be the head coach of Delhi Capitals. Geoffery Boycott was right, as Ponting has not been able to take the franchise forward in the past 7 years. I have to speak with the franchise and ask them to look at Indian coaches. I will be the head coach. Let's see how I perform."

Despite the upheaval, the diligent assistant coach Praveen Amre is set to continue in his role, providing some continuity amidst the changes. The DC co-owners, JSW and GMR group, are scheduled to have a crucial meeting either at the end of this month or early next month to discuss the road ahead