The Delhi Capitals have parted ways with head coach Ricky Ponting ahead of the next season of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The franchise put up a message on their social media to announce the decision.
This ended his seven-year association with the franchise ahead of the mega auction for IPL 2025. With Delhi not getting the desired results, the hunt is now on for a new head coach. With the team not meeting expectations, the owners have decided to look for a new head coach.
With Ponting leaving the scene and with the upcoming mega auction, Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly could well become the leading candidate for the head coach. Ganguly has been with Delhi since 2023 and has worked with the players quite extensively.
On that note, we take a look at three reasons why Sourav Ganguly would be the right choice for DC's head coach.
#3 Extensive experience
Sourav Ganguly comes in with a lot of experience - he has seen the game evolve from close quarters and this will help him take charge of Delhi Capitals - a side that has plenty of talent but has been floundering in the recent past.
He understands the power dynamics and will be a great person to take over a new team, especially ahead of the mega auctions. Since, he has been part of the Delhi Capitals for two seasons now, he will be privy to a lot of dressing room conversations and tactical nous of players. This transition from Ponting to Ganguly will also be a seamless one.
#2 Good man manager
Sourav Ganguly has always been considered a good man manager. He was able to spot talent and manage them to extract their best possible potential. As a captain, he gave a long rope to the likes of Virender Sehwag, Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, MS Dhoni, among others and these players went on to become match-winners.
This trait will be handy when he takes over as Delhi Capitals head coach, especially when the franchise will be looking to assemble new sets of players. Rishabh Pant, by all accounts, will continue as Delhi captain and the duo share a good equation. This combination combined with Ganguly's ability to get the best out of young players should serve DC just right in the upcoming seasons.
#1 Understands the team culture
Delhi Capitals have been a very inconsistent unit and if a new coach is roped in, he would take time to settle down and get accustomed to the team culture. This is something the side could ill afford. Hence, Ganguly, who has a tactical cricket brain, can hit the ground running from the first day since he has been part of the side for two years now.
Delhi need an experienced man to show them direction as far as their new side composition is concerned, players who gel perfectly with the culture of the side. This is where Ganguly can play a pivotal role. He also understands the dynamics of the IPL as he has been part of different sides over the years and perhaps has a better understanding of Indian conditions than any overseas coach.
These traits make the former India captain a handy pick as the new head coach of Delhi Capitals.
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