Mumbai: “You never say never to opportunities like that but I am happy with the couple of jobs I have,” said Ricky Ponting when asked about coaching Team India on Monday.
BCCI are on the lookout for Team India’s Head Coach after Ravi Shastri’s tenure as Director was over following the conclusion of ICC World Twenty20.
Ricky Ponting shares some batting tips with a youngster. (Photo: Shripad Naik / DC)
It would not have been surprising had Ponting, who did a remarkable job guiding Mumbai Indians to two IPL trophies in a span of three years, been in the mix. But the former Australian skipper isn’t too keen to take over the much-talked about role at the moment. He said he would continue enjoying the role of a family man.
“I have a young family. So, I consider these opportunities (coaching), 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,” said Australia’s two-time World Cup-winning skipper.
Ricky Ponting, Shane Bond, Jonty Rhodes, Parthiv Patel and Krunal Pandya spent their evening with a group of school students giving them valuable tips. (Photo: Shripad Naik / DC)
However, he had recently expressed his willingness to guide the new-age Australian side which includes the likes of Steve Smith and David Warner.
Ponting, who had amassed 27,483 runs in international cricket and played a pivotal part in Australia’s dominance for over a decade, said the strenuous work schedule and time away from home as the sole reasons behind his decision.
“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,” said Ponting.
Dravid’s name is in the reckoning to become India’s next coach. When asked who should take up the role, Ponting said: "That’s not the decision for me to make. It depends what the BCCI looking for; do they want an overseas coach or do they want an Indian coach."
"The name you mentioned Rahul Dravid, you are not going to find better candidates than someone like him. If he is interested in doing it then I am sure he would do a good job. He has a lot of knowledge of the game, a great experience and understands all three formats of the game because he has worked in IPL for last 5-6 seasons. 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 (Kohli) wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will b listening to him," concluded Ponting.
