Ricky Ponting Predicts 3-1 Australia Win in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Ricky Ponting Predicts 3-1 Australia Win in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has predicted a 3-1 victory for his home team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Ponting believes that Australia has a “point to prove” after losing their previous two home Test series to India.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test series between Australia and India, will be played later this year. Australia has not defeated India in a Test series since 2014-15, and Ponting believes that the hosts are eager to break that streak.

“It’s going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia’s got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what’s happened the last two series here,” Ponting said on the ICC Review.

Ponting also discussed the possibility of Steven Smith continuing to open the batting for Australia. Smith has been opening in recent Tests, but his form has been inconsistent. Ponting believes that Smith should only open if he is comfortable with the role.

“Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith’s the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side,” Ponting said.

“So I’ll rephrase it, not whether Smith’s the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it’s the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn’t think it’s the right spot then they’ll make a change and get someone else back up there.”

Ponting’s prediction of a 3-1 victory for Australia is based on the team’s strong home record and the return of key players like Cameron Green. However, India will be a formidable opponent, and the series is likely to be closely contested.

Cricket's Olympic Inclusion to Expand Global Reach, Says Ponting

Cricket’s Olympic Inclusion to Expand Global Reach, Says Ponting

Cricket’s inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting believes this opportunity will significantly expand the sport’s reach and popularity.

Ponting, a three-time ODI World Cup winner, recently coached the Washington Freedom to this year’s Major League Cricket title, giving him valuable insight into how cricket is perceived in the USA. He emphasized that the Olympic Games provide a unique platform to expose cricket to a vast new audience.

“The Olympic Games being viewed by so many people all around the world, it just opens up completely different audiences to our game that’s seemingly growing on a daily basis anyway,” said Ponting.

Ponting also pointed out the potential for cricket to tap into baseball’s fanbase in the USA. “The way that I sort of try and compare the two is we’ve all been to games of Major League Baseball. Huge events, the bat and ball game that Americans are growing up with and that game goes for four hours and through the history of the game, there’s less than one home run scored in every game,” he said.

“So when you compare baseball to what the excitement and entertainment package that T20 cricket brings, then it should be a reasonably easy sell to the young kids in the US.”

Ponting expressed his excitement about the possibility of serving as either a mentor or coach for the Australian team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. “It’d be a pretty nice job, I reckon, to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games, to hang out,” he said.

The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is a testament to the sport’s growing global appeal. It provides an opportunity for cricket to reach new heights and inspire future generations of players.

Ricky Ponting Rules Out England Coaching Role, Eyes IPL Return

Ricky Ponting Rules Out England Coaching Role, Eyes IPL Return

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has ruled out the possibility of becoming England’s next men’s white-ball coach, citing time constraints and a desire to return to coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL).

Ponting’s decision comes after Matthew Mott’s departure as England’s white-ball coach, leaving a vacancy for a prominent figure in the cricketing world. Despite his seven-year stint with the Delhi Capitals ending this year, Ponting is not yet ready to commit to full-time coaching at the international level.

“International jobs for me right now are not really where my life is at,” Ponting said in an interview with The ICC Review show. “I’ve got other commitments, with my TV work and things that I do, and I’m trying to balance that out with having a decent amount of home time.”

Ponting, who also worked as Mumbai Indians head coach, recently led the Washington Freedom to victory in the second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC). He has another year on his contract with the team in the USA and is hopeful of securing an IPL coaching contract ahead of the 2025 season.

“I’d love to coach again in the IPL,” Ponting said. “I’ve had a great time every year that I’ve been involved, whether that was as a player or as a head coach.”

Ponting also revealed that the Delhi Capitals will likely appoint an Indian coach as their next head coach. “They made it pretty clear that they wanted to head in a different direction with someone that could give them a bit more time and availability through the off-season,” he said.

Despite his decision to decline the England coaching role, Ponting remains open to other coaching opportunities in the future. “There could be a few opportunities for me popping up in the next couple of months,” he said. “I’d love to be back coaching in the IPL again next season.”

Ricky Ponting Explains Decision to Move on from Prithvi Shaw

Ricky Ponting Explains Decision to Move on from Prithvi Shaw

Ricky Ponting, the former head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has shed light on his decision to move on from Prithvi Shaw, citing the latter’s inability to meet team expectations. Shaw, once a promising talent in Indian cricket, has struggled to maintain his form, leading to his omission from the Delhi Capitals’ playing eleven during the IPL 2024 season.

Ponting expressed his disappointment in Shaw’s situation, acknowledging his exceptional skills and potential. However, he emphasized that despite multiple discussions and efforts to improve Shaw’s cricketing abilities, the player had not met the team’s expectations. Ponting stated, “When you feel like you’re not making players better and they’re not doing what you need for the team, then you’ve got to look for other players that can do it for you.”

Ponting’s comments highlight the challenges faced by coaches in developing players and the limitations of their influence. He acknowledged that Shaw is still a young and talented player, expressing hope that he will eventually realize his potential.

As the Delhi Capitals prepare for the IPL 2025 season, speculation about Shaw’s future with the team has arisen. It remains uncertain whether he will be retained, given the strategic planning underway ahead of the mega auction.

Axar Patel to Lead Delhi Capitals in Pant's Absence

Axar Patel to Lead Delhi Capitals in Pant’s Absence

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in Axar Patel’s ability to lead the team in the absence of suspended captain Rishabh Pant. Pant was banned for one match after an altercation with Mumbai Indians’ Suryakumar Yadav during their previous encounter.

Ponting praised Patel’s experience and understanding of the game, saying, “He has been vice-captain for the last couple of seasons and he is very sensible and understands the game really well.”

The coach also acknowledged the challenge of replacing Pant, who has been Delhi’s best batter this season. However, he believes the team has the depth to overcome his absence.

“Rishabh has been one of the best players this IPL and not having him is a loss. But it is also a great opportunity for others,” Ponting said.

David Warner, who has missed the last four matches due to injury, is expected to be available for selection. Ponting expressed optimism about his return, saying, “David Warner has trained really strongly. We hope he is available for selection.”

The Delhi Capitals will face the Royal Challengers Bangalore on May 11 in Bengaluru. The match will be a crucial test for Patel’s leadership and the team’s ability to adapt without Pant.

Abishek Porel Impresses Ponting, Set to Keep for Delhi Capitals

Abishek Porel Impresses Ponting, Set to Keep for Delhi Capitals

Delhi Capitals head coach Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Abishek Porel, the left-handed batter who has impressed in multiple roles during IPL 2024. Ponting has indicated that Porel will don the keeping gloves against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Sunday in the absence of the suspended Rishabh Pant.

Porel, signed by Capitals in 2023 as a replacement for Pant, has scored 267 runs in 10 innings this season at a strike rate of 157.98. He began the campaign batting at No. 9 against Punjab Kings, coming in as an Impact Player and smacking an unbeaten 31 off just 10 balls. Since then, he has been promoted to a top-four role, and in DC’s last game against Rajasthan Royals, he opened the batting and put on 60 in just 4.2 overs with Jake Fraser-McGurk. Porel went on to score 65 off 36, his first IPL half-century, studded with seven fours and three sixes.

“I’ve seen extreme growth in Abishek Porel in this IPL,” Ponting said in Bengaluru ahead of the match against RCB. “He’s a very special talent. He’s starting to work out what IPL cricket is all about. He’s had a couple of different roles as well. He’s made [31] off 10 balls as a No. 9 batsman, and now we see him opening the batting and he’s got better and better every game.”

“I’ve got huge raps on him. I think he’s a very, very good young player, obviously we’ll probably get to see him with the keeping gloves on tomorrow as well, with Rishabh not being there. And then we’ll work out, when we finalise our team, with the batting order and stuff, but I’ll be surprised if he’s not at the top of the order again, because he has played really well, and he’s someone that I think has got a really bright future.”

Ponting also hailed Jake Fraser-McGurk, the swashbuckling 22-year-old batter who has taken this IPL by storm. Fraser-McGurk, picked by DC as a replacement player after Lungi Ngidi was ruled out, has reset the T20 batting template in the powerplay, just like Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have while batting for Sunrisers Hyderabad this season. Fraser-McGurk has scored his 309 runs while striking at 235.87 and averaging 44.14, with the help of four half-centuries.

“Some of the things he’s done – I think he’s made three 20-ball fifties in this tournament, so he along with Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma have been the stand-out powerplay batsmen in this entire tournament,” Ponting said. “He’s focused now, like all of us, he’s making sure that we’re ready to go tomorrow. For us, it’s not about what happened yesterday, it’s about what we can do today to get better, and then make sure that we’re ready to play our best game of cricket tomorrow.”

Fraser-McGurk Accepts World Cup Omission, Focuses on Future

Fraser-McGurk Accepts World Cup Omission, Focuses on Future

Rising star Jake Fraser-McGurk has expressed his understanding of his omission from Australia’s T20 World Cup squad, acknowledging that he had not yet earned a place in the final 15-man roster.

Despite his impressive performances in the Indian Premier League (IPL), where he smashed two 15-ball half-centuries, Fraser-McGurk was not selected for the World Cup. He admitted that the selectors had a clear plan and that he was not yet in a position to challenge the established players in the team.

“The communication was really good,” Fraser-McGurk said. “They probably had a good idea of what [the squad] was a month and a half ago, trying to build that and get the connection in the team.”

Fraser-McGurk praised the selectors’ decision to prioritize experienced players who provide flexibility in team combinations. He highlighted the presence of David Warner, Travis Head, and Mitch Marsh as key factors in his non-selection.

“I can’t really see myself batting five or six because we’re pretty set there with Tim David, Cam Green, and those sort of blokes,” he said. “That’s the way I think about it. That’s fine.”

Fraser-McGurk expressed his gratitude for the support he has received from Delhi Capitals coach Ricky Ponting, who has provided him with valuable batting advice. Ponting’s guidance has helped Fraser-McGurk improve his technique and swing at the ball with greater control.

“What he said to me that’s really stuck with me is ‘you hit the ball a lot further when you swing at 80% instead of 100%, you just have to find the middle and then it’ll go for six,'” Fraser-McGurk said.

Despite his disappointment at missing out on the World Cup, Fraser-McGurk remains optimistic about his future prospects. He hopes to gain experience as a traveling reserve and believes that his time will come to represent Australia in major tournaments.

Ponting Deciphers T20 Cricket's Evolution: Batting Strategies and Impact Player Rule

Ponting Deciphers T20 Cricket’s Evolution: Batting Strategies and Impact Player Rule

T20 Cricket’s Evolution: Ponting Analyzes Batting Strategies and the Impact Player Rule

Ricky Ponting, the esteemed coach of Delhi Capitals and former Australian cricket legend, has provided insightful commentary on the remarkable evolution of T20 cricket and the transformative shifts in batting strategies that have shaped the modern era.

Ponting acknowledges the once-unthinkable possibility of 300-run scores, attributing this to the liberating effect of the impact player rule on batters. He emphasizes the abandonment of traditional settling-in periods, highlighting the immediate need to “go out and hit from ball one.”

The significance of strike rates has also escalated, with Ponting noting the increasing focus on achieving specific strike rates regardless of ball count. He observes that teams like Chennai Super Kings and Mumbai Indians employ varying approaches to anchor roles, recognizing the need for stability and explosiveness in different team compositions.

Ponting initially harbored skepticism towards T20 cricket’s sustainability, but he now recognizes its enduring appeal, particularly evident in the high-octane spectacle of the Indian Premier League. He applauds the fearlessness and adaptability of modern batters, emphasizing their relentless pursuit of innovation and range-hitting prowess.

Ponting predicts a paradigm shift towards 250-plus scores in India, fueled by the impact player rule and evolving ground dynamics. He believes that the format will continue to evolve, with batters pushing the boundaries of innovation and entertainment.

Ricky Ponting Mentors Indian Youngster on Pull Shot Mastery

Ricky Ponting Mentors Indian Youngster on Pull Shot Mastery

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, renowned for his mastery of the pull shot, recently shared his expertise with uncapped Indian batter Angkrish Raghuvanshi. The encounter occurred after the IPL 2024 match between Delhi Capitals (DC) and Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) at the Arun Jaitley Stadium.

Ponting, now the head coach of DC, took time out to guide Raghuvanshi on the intricacies of playing the pull shot. The video of their interaction, shared by the IPL on social media, has garnered widespread attention.

“Making the most out of the opportunities. Young Angkrish Raghuvanshi receives some valuable post-match lessons from the @DelhiCapitals Head Coach @RickyPonting,” the IPL captioned the video.

Raghuvanshi has made a significant impact in this year’s IPL, earning a place in the playing XI after an injury to Nitish Rana. In five innings, he has played crucial knocks of 54, 24, and 30.

On Monday, he did not get the chance to bat as an impact substitute, as KKR secured an easy victory.

After DC opted to bat, mystery spinner Varun Chakravarthy led KKR’s disciplined bowling attack, restricting the hosts to 153-9. In reply, Phil Salt led the chase with an opening stand of 79 with Sunil Narine, guiding the two-time champions to victory with 3.3 overs to spare.

Ponting’s guidance to Raghuvanshi highlights the importance of mentorship and knowledge sharing in sports. The former Australian captain’s insights can help the young Indian batter refine his technique and improve his performance.

Ricky Ponting's Treasured Collection: Bats of International Centuries

Ricky Ponting’s Treasured Collection: Bats of International Centuries

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has revealed his meticulous collection of bats used to score international centuries. During his illustrious career, Ponting amassed an impressive 71 international hundreds, including 41 in Test matches.

Ponting’s passion for collecting bats began early on. He still possesses his first bat, adorned with stickers, as a cherished memento. Throughout his career, he meticulously preserved every bat with which he scored an international century, inscribing the score and opposition’s name on each one.

Among Ponting’s prized possessions is the bat he used to score his unforgettable unbeaten 140 against India in the 2003 World Cup final. This iconic innings played a pivotal role in Australia’s victory.

Ponting’s collection is not merely a display of his achievements but also a testament to his love for the game. He keeps his bats in his garage, away from public view.

Sourav Ganguly, former India captain and current Delhi Capitals Director, shared his own experience of receiving his first bat at the age of 13. He recalled the joy of hitting the ball with ease.

David Warner, playing for Delhi Capitals this season, also shared his childhood memories of his first bat, a birthday gift from his uncle. He kept it close to his bed, cherishing its significance.

Ponting’s collection serves as a reminder of his remarkable career and the countless memories he created on the field. It is a testament to his dedication, passion, and the enduring legacy he has left on the game of cricket.

Home
Shop
Wishlist0
Back to Top

Search For Products

Product has been added to your cart