"An excellent decision to say good bye" - Fans react as Delhi Capitals parts ways with head coach Ricky Ponting ahead of IPL 2025
Delhi Capitals (DC) have parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting ahead of the upcoming Indian Premier League (IPL) season. On Saturday, July 13, the Delhi-based franchise announced the news while expressing gratitude to Ponting for his seven-year stint.
The 49-year-old had joined DC in January 2018 helping them reach playoffs in the 2019, 2020, and 2021 seasons. In IPL 2024, DC finished sixth in the points table with seven victories in 14 games. Under his coaching, he groomed youngsters like Rishabh Pant and Shreyas Iyer.
Sharing a few pictures of Ponting, DC wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter):
“Dear Ricky, as you move on as our head coach, we’re finding it incredibly hard to put his down in words. The four things you told us about in every huddle – care, commitment, attitude and effort – they sum up our seven summers together.
“Thank you for everything, coach! Like you often close out, ‘Let’s leave this here mate, grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?”
One user wrote:
"Thank you Ricky for everything. Quila Kotla and DC Toli will miss you."
Another user shared similar sentiments, writing:
"Thank you Ricky."
One user called it an 'excellent decision.' He wrote:
"An excellent decision to say goodbye. Time to move on."
Here are a few more reactions:
Ricky Ponting is currently coaching Washington Freedom in the ongoing second season of Major League Cricket (MLC 2024).
Sourav Ganguly set to replace Ricky Ponting as Delhi Capitals head coach - Reports
Sourav Ganguly, Delhi Capitals' Director of Cricket, has reportedly said that he will become the new head after Ricky Ponting's exit. The 52-year-old to Aajkal (via CricToday):
"I have to plan for next year's IPL. I want to win the IPL for Delhi Capitals once. The mega auction is next year, and hence I have started planning from now on."
"I have to speak with the franchise and ask them to look at Indian coaches. I will be the head coach. Let's see how I perform," Ganguly added.
Notably, DC are yet to win an IPL title since the inaugural season.