Although the situation is still developing, there is a strong likelihood that Sourav Ganguly, who currently serves as the Team Director of DC, may take on the additional role of head coach in the upcoming season.
“As you move on as our head coach, we are finding it incredibly difficult to put it down in words. The four things that you told us about in every huddle — care, commitment, attitude and effort, they sum up our seven years together,” DC posted on their official ‘X’ handle.
The franchise expressed their heartfelt sentiments in an emotional post, reflecting on their extensive partnership with the Australian. However, it has come to light that Ponting was unequivocally informed that his performance has failed to meet the expectations of the management, despite being granted an unprecedented seven-year tenure without delivering the desired results.
Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup victories, joined the franchise in 2019. Although the team reached its first-ever final in 2021, their performances in subsequent years have not lived up to the initial potential showcased during that promising run.
“The top brass of Delhi Capitals has 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 DC management told PTI on conditions of anonymity.
The decision-makers want Ponting to be more involved in the auction process and team building, rather than just joining a couple of weeks before the start of the IPL.
It remains uncertain whether DC will hire a new head coach or ask Ganguly to take on the head coach role.
Praveen Amre, the diligent assistant coach, is set to continue.
The DC co-owners, JSW and GMR group, are scheduled to meet either at the end of this month or early next month to discuss the future direction.
Player retention is another issue up for discussion. If the retention limit remains at four, DC will have to release either Australia’s Jake Fraser-McGurk or South Africa’s Tristan Stubbs, as there is only one overseas slot available.
Regarding the Indian core, retention choices are straightforward, with skipper Rishabh Pant, all-rounder Axar Patel, and wrist-spinner Kuldeep Yadav leading the list.
A mega auction is anticipated ahead of the IPL 2025, and there is a possibility that some retainable stars from each franchise might want to enter the auction pool to determine their true market value.
