With every passing day, the speculation on Team India’s next head coach is getting increasingly stronger. When asked about the possibility of throwing his hat into the ring, Ricky Ponting reiterated that family takes precedence over cricket matters.
Speaking to the media on the sidelines of an event, the Mumbai Indians Coach spoke about the difficulty of juggling family life with the hectic international schedule and also advocated Rahul Dravid’s candidature for the lucrative job.
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Ponting affirmed, “You never say never to opportunities like that but I am happy with the couple of jobs I have. The difficult thing about going back and coaching any international team is the amount of time and sacrifice you have to make if you are going to be coaching 10-11 months of the year.”
He explained, “I have a young family. So, I consider these opportunities whether it is India or Australia, or wherever it might be. But now, my family is my priority and I will try and do whatever I can to be the best father and the best husband.”
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The former Australian skipper backed Dravid as a great choice for coaching a young Indian team. Ponting believed, “It's not my decision to make and it depends on what BCCI are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or overseas one?
“I don't think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him (Dravid). If he's interested in doing the job, he will do a good job.”
The multiple Word Cup winner also wanted BCCI to discuss about the appointment with star batsman and Indian Test skipper Virat Kohli. Ponting asserted, ”He will be a great candidate but it depends on what the BCCI thinks is the best fit for the Indian cricket team and also depends on what the captain wants. Whatever Virat wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will listen to him.”
The right-hander felt that Dravid’s vast experience and tactical acumen will add immense value to the Indian team. The Tasmanian added, “He's got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPL.”
Currently, Ponting’s Mumbai Indians, as well as Dravid’s Delhi Daredevils are among the major contenders to make the knockout stages of the IPL.
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