Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has confirmed he will not be vying to replace Rahul Dravid as India’s head coach, despite preliminary talks during the IPL.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seeking Dravid's successor as his contract expires after the T20 World Cup next month, with Dravid reportedly hesitant to extend his tenure.
Ponting, who has been head coach of the Delhi franchise in the IPL since 2018 and has served as Australia's interim T20 coach, revealed the discussions but cited personal reasons for not pursuing the role. "I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team," Ponting told the ICC, "but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now."
The position of India head coach, one of the most demanding in cricket, would require extensive travel and commitment, which Ponting feels is not feasible for him at the moment.
Other notable contenders for the role include former India opener Gautam Gambhir, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer, and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, each bringing strong IPL credentials to the table.
