"Lot of the players sort of catch up on the ground" - Ricky Ponting underlines one issue he has with IPL
Former Delhi Capitals' head coach Ricky Ponting has opened up on the one problem he had with the Indian players in the Indian Premier League (IPL). The Tasmanian, who has also coached the Mumbai Indians, revealed that he disliked the Indian players of his team and the opposite side mingling before the match as it reduced the competitive spirit.
There have been several instances of the likes of Rohit Sharma, Hardik Pandya, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Rishabh Pant, and many other Indian cricketers mingling with one another before IPL fixtures get underway. They also have friendly banter between one another amid the matches.
Speaking to Cricbuzz, Ponting stated that he would never meet his ex-teammate or countryman before any competitive game. The 49-year-old cited Justin Langer's example, claiming how he never shook hands with him before the match in IPL 2024. He said:
"One thing that I always struggled with the IPL, obviously, was that a lot of the Indian guys play in the national team together and you tend to get to the ground really early - about two hours before the game starts. And a lot of the players sort of catch up on the ground and put their arms around each other and give them a cuddle whenever they meet each other before the game starts, but I'd never do that.
"Justin Langer this year, for instance. I've played 15 years of cricket with him. I actually didn't even look at him or shake his hand until the game or games were over. So that's just my competitive nature coming out."
The 164-Test veteran took charge of the Delhi-based franchise ahead of the 2018 edition and exited after spending seven seasons. While the Mumbai Indians lifted the trophy under him, it didn't happen in Delhi's case.
"I think it sets a pretty good idea to the opposition that I'm there to get my job done" - Ricky Ponting
However, Ponting opined that he has become quite relaxed now compared to the intensity he showed in international cricket. He said:
"It probably doesn't change the outcome but I think it sets a pretty good idea to the opposition that I'm there to get my job done and to have my team win that game of cricket. I'll probably have been a little bit more relaxed here to be honest.
"Pravin Amre has been an assistant coach with me at Delhi for seven years. I didn't see him until after the game was over so that's just me, but everyone's different I guess."
Ponting is currently coaching the Washington Freedom in Major League Cricket (MLC).