Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has confirmed that Rahul Dravid will not be in the running for the post of India head coach, despite early talks during the IPL.
The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is looking for Dravid’s successor when his contract expires after the T20 World Cup next month, with Dravid reportedly reluctant to extend his tenure.
Ponting, who has been the head coach of the Delhi franchise and Australia’s interim T20 coach in the IPL since 2018, was open about the discussions but gave personal reasons for not playing the role. Ponting told the ICC, “I want to be the senior coach of the national team, but it doesn’t fit in with other things in my life and I want to spend time at home.
India’s head coach, one of the most demanding in cricket, requires extensive travel and commitment, which Ponting feels is not possible for him now.
Other contenders for the role include former India opener Gautam Gambhir, Lucknow Super Giants coach Justin Langer and Chennai Super Kings coach Stephen Fleming, who each bring strong IPL credentials to the table.
