New Delhi

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has disclosed that he was approached to be India’s next men’s head coach but declined the role due to a preference for spending more time with his family.

Ponting, who recently concluded his stint as head coach of Delhi Capitals in IPL 2024, stated that he also serves as the strategy head of Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League (BBL). Additionally, he is a regular commentator during Australia’s home summer and is set to coach Washington Freedom in the upcoming Major League Cricket (MLC) season in the USA.

Ponting mentioned that there were discussions about the India head coach position during the IPL. He expressed his interest in the role but cited commitments to his family and various other engagements as reasons for declining. He highlighted that being a coach for the Indian team would require him to forego involvement with an IPL team, which he enjoys. Moreover, the demanding nature of a national head coach role, spanning nearly the entire year, did not align with his current lifestyle.

Ponting conveyed his fondness for the idea of coaching a national team but emphasized that it did not fit into his present life circumstances and preferences.