New Delhi: Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has turned down the opportunity to become the head coach of the Indian cricket team, citing lifestyle reasons. Ponting, who recently completed seven seasons as the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), disclosed that he was approached for the position but has opted out due to his current commitments.
In a conversation with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting said, "There were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to gauge my interest in the role." However, he explained that his existing commitments and lifestyle preferences make it difficult for him to take up the job.
"I would love to be a senior coach of a national team, but considering the other things in my life and the desire to spend more time at home... everyone knows that if you take a job working with the Indian team, you can't be involved in an IPL team, so that would also be a factor," Ponting elaborated.
The role of a national head coach demands a substantial time commitment, Ponting noted. "Being a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month job, and as much as I would like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my current lifestyle and the things that I really enjoy doing."
Ponting, who has been coaching the Delhi Capitals in the IPL since 2018, discussed the offer with his family, including his son who showed interest in the prospect of moving to India. However, Ponting ultimately decided that despite his admiration for Indian cricket culture, the position does not align with his current priorities.
The India head coach position will become vacant after Rahul Dravid's tenure concludes following India's T20 World Cup campaign next month. Other high-profile names such as Stephen Fleming, head coach of Chennai Super Kings, Justin Langer, head coach of Lucknow Super Giants, and Gautam Gambhir, mentor of Kolkata Knight Riders, have been mentioned as potential candidates for the role. However, Ponting believes it is unlikely for him to be considered due to his lifestyle constraints.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has set May 27 as the deadline for submitting applications for the position.
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