‘My availability was becoming an issue’ –  Ricky Ponting explains reason behind moving on with Delhi Capitals

The reasons behind Ricky Ponting‘s departure from the Delhi Capitals (DC) and his subsequent appointment as head coach of Punjab Kings (PBKS) for the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2025 were recently disclosed by the legendary Australian captain.

Ponting led the squad to three straight playoff berths from 2019 to 2021, including their first final in 2020. Ponting played with DC for seven seasons, from 2018 to 2024. But in July 2024, his time with the team came to an end.

“I thought we did a pretty good job of creating a family atmosphere there. I understand what they want, as I mentioned earlier; they told me that my availability was starting to become a problem. They also desired to have a head coach on staff pretty much full-time. I was sad that it ended because I couldn’t commit to it, but I also understood the approach they wanted to take moving ahead,” Ponting stated, as reported by TOI.

Everyone I’ve gone there with has had an amazing time:  Ricky Ponting

The parting of ways was finally caused by the former Australian captain’s incapacity to dedicate himself fully to the position. Ponting acknowledged the benefit of his time with DC despite his unhappiness.

“Everyone I went there with had a fantastic time. It’s evident from some of the social media posts that Delhi made right away that many of the franchise’s supporters were upset that I wasn’t sticking around as well. But they were decided,” he continued.

In 2008, Ponting started his IPL coaching career as a player-coach with the Kolkata Knight Riders. He then had a successful tenure with the Mumbai Indians, moving up from captain to adviser and then head coach.

Now that Ponting is in charge of the Punjab-based team, he has the responsibility of putting an end to the team’s four-year playoff futility. The renowned hitter will be PBKS’s third head coach in as many seasons after they finished eighth in the previous competition.

“Coaching is appealing to me because of it. That pressure is just what I like. It is the closest thing you can get to playing again. It is quite difficult to replace the competitiveness in your life once it ends, as I discovered the moment I stopped playing.

Also Read: IPL 2025: Ricky Ponting is set to join Punjab Kings

Finding a way to feel like you are truly playing again as a coach in the cricket team’s changing room was the closest thing I could find to playing. Additionally, I want to defeat both the guys I’m coaching and the guys I may have played against. Easy. I should be in a cricket changing room,” the 49-year-old said in closing.