Australia’s captain Alyssa Healy has reacted to Ricky Ponting’s departure as head coach of the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise Delhi Capitals. Recently, after seven years with the team, the franchise announced Ponting’s exit on social media, as they continue to search for their first IPL title.
Healy commented on Ponting’s ouster as head coach of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals, expressing that she wasn’t surprised by the decision. She mentioned that during her time in India this year, she observed the situation live and noticed that things didn’t seem right in the dugout from an Indian perspective. There appeared to be tension between the support staff and possibly the players, despite Rishabh Pant’s relaxed demeanor as captain.
“Yeah, I did (see it coming), because being over there in India this year, watching it live, from an Indian perspective, it just didn’t seem right in the dugout. There was obviously a bit going on, there was tension between the support staff, and maybe the players. Like, Rishabh Pant was in charge and looked quite relaxed, but it just didn’t look right,” said Healy.
Healy stated it wasn’t a surprise to her that an international coach might part ways when pitted against an Indian icon. She noted that this change opens up new opportunities for Ponting, whether he chooses to coach an international side, stick to franchise cricket, or pursue other interests, adding that it has created an interesting time for him.
Healy further added “It wasn’t a real surprise to me that if you put an international coach against an Indian icon, the international coach would probably part ways. But it’s probably opened up a whole avenue for Ricky to look at. Will it be he coaching an international side or really stick to franchise cricket, or do whatever else he wants to do, it has opened up a bit of time for him, which is very interesting.”
Ponting was appointed as DC’s head coach in 2018 when the team was still called Delhi Daredevils. In 2020, DC reached their first IPL final but finished as runners-up to Mumbai Indians. In the 2024 season, DC finished sixth, with an equal number of wins and losses.
(Quotes sourced from The Statesman)