In a significant shake-up, Delhi Capitals have decided to part ways with head coach Ricky Ponting after seven years, following the franchise’s continued struggle to secure an Indian Premier League (IPL) trophy. Ponting, who joined the Capitals in 2019, led the team to their first-ever final in 2021, but the team’s performance in subsequent seasons failed to meet expectations.
“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,” a source close to the DC management told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The management’s decision stems from their desire for Ponting to be more actively involved in the auction process and overall team building, rather than just joining a few weeks before the start of the IPL season. With Ponting’s departure, the franchise faces a crucial decision on whether to hire a new head coach or have Team Director Sourav Ganguly take on the dual role of head coach.
Despite Ponting’s exit, Praveen Amre, the diligent assistant coach, is expected to continue with the team. The DC co-owners, JSW and GMR Group, are scheduled to meet at the end of this month or early next month to discuss the future direction of the team, including decisions on player retention.
Player retention is another significant issue for the Capitals, particularly if the number of retained players remains at four. This limitation means the franchise will likely have to choose between retaining Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk or South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs, given that only one overseas slot is available. As for the Indian core, straightforward choices include skipper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, assuming they agree to be retained.
Looking ahead to 2025, there is a mega auction on the horizon, which could see some retainable stars from various franchises opting to re-enter the auction pool to test their market value.
This strategic overhaul signals Delhi Capitals’ commitment to reconfiguring their approach in hopes of finally clinching the elusive IPL trophy. The franchise’s next steps in the upcoming months will be pivotal in shaping their future performance and achieving their long-sought success in the IPL.
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