Ricky Ponting steps down as Delhi Capitals head coach before IPL 2025 season

Delhi Capitals have parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting, the IPL franchise confirmed on Saturday.

“Seven summers of you being hands-on, but also hands-off, so that we could become better. As athletes, yes, but more importantly, as human beings. Seven summers of you reaching every training session first, and leaving last. Seven summers of you sprinting out of the dugout during strategic timeouts, and biting your nails off until there were none left. Seven summers of your dressing room speeches the speeches. Seven summers of your hugs, shoulder pats and fist pumps for us all-newcomer, superstar… and everyone in-between,” the Capitals wrote in their post on social media.

Ponting, who took over as head coach in 2018, led the Capitals to their only IPL final in 17 editions in 2020 where they finished runners-up behind Mumbai Indians.

It remains to be seen whether the Capitals will hire a new head coach or ask Team Director Sourav Ganguly to take over.

The players’ retention is another issue that will be up for discussion and if the number stays at four, then DC will have no option but to let go of one among Australia’s Jake-Fraser McGurk or South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs, with only one overseas slot available.

As far as the Indian core is concerned, Delhi have straightforward choices in captain Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav, provided they are ready to be retained.

In 2024, the Capitals endured a torrid start with only one win in five games before winning six of their last eight games. However, the Capitals eventually missed out on the Playoffs due to Net Run Rate, finishing sixth on the points table.

With PTI inputs

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