Cricket

Ponting confirms approach for India head coach role

Published

1 year ago

May 23, 2024

Ray Sportz News Desk: Legendary Australian captain and former World Cup winner Ricky Ponting has revealed that he was approached by the Board of Cricket Control in India (BCCI) to be the new head coach of the Indian Cricket Team, which would be vacant soon after the upcoming T20I World Cup as Rahul Dravid won’t continue as the coach of the side. But Ponting had decided to turn that offer down, by saying that it doesn’t fit into his “lifestyle” right now.

Ponting, who recently completed seven seasons as the head coach of Delhi Capitals IPL franchise, has been Australia’s interim T20 coach in the past. He did not say whether the feelers for India position came from the BCCI.

“…there were a few little one-on-one conversations during the IPL, just to get a level of interest from me as to whether I would do it,” Ponting told the ICC.
“I’d love to be a senior coach of a national team, but with the other things that I have in my life and wanting to have a bit of time at home…everyone knows if you take a job working with the Indian team, you can’t be involved in an IPL team, so it would take that out of it as well.

“Also, a national head coach is a 10 or 11-month of the year job, and as much as I’d like to do it, it just doesn’t fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing,” he added.

Ponting said he discussed the offer with his son and he seemed game for a move to India.

“My family and my kids have spent the last five weeks over at the IPL with me and they come over every year and I had a whisper to my son about it,” he recalled.

“I said, ‘Dad’s been offered the Indian coaching job’ and he said, ‘Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years’,” Ponting quipped.

“That’s how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn’t exactly fit into my lifestyle,” he added.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: Chappell: Real Test Begins Now for Gill as India Trails England

Published

18 hours ago

July 19, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: Former Australia captain Greg Chappell believes that Shubman Gill is entering the most critical phase of his young leadership journey, as India trails 1-2 in the five-match Test series against England.After India’s narrow 22-run defeat in the third Test at Lord’s, Chappell acknowledged Gill’s talent with the bat and early signs of leadership promise, but noted that “the real test begins now.”With the series slipping away, India will aim for a comeback in the fourth Test, set to begin on July 23 at Old Trafford, Manchester, in the Anderson-Tendulkar Trophy.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: Rahane Urges Tactical Overhaul Ahead of Crucial 4th Test

Published

2 days ago

July 18, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: As India prepares for the must-win 4th Test against England at Old Trafford, veteran batter Ajinkya Rahane has called on head coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill to bolster the bowling lineup. With the series delicately poised at 1-2, Rahane stressed the importance of including an additional specialist bowler to enhance India’s chances of taking 20 wickets.
Citing England’s aggressive approach under Ben Stokes, Rahane highlighted the need for a sharper bowling attack, potentially at the cost of an all-rounder like Nitish Reddy. He hinted that a spinner such as Kuldeep Yadav could be the ideal inclusion.
“With matches often being decided in the final innings, the bowling unit must be equipped to apply pressure consistently,” Rahane said.
India is under pressure to level the series, and the selection strategy in Manchester may prove decisive.

Cricket

IND vs ENG: India Fall Short at Lord’s, Gill Calls Pant’s Run-Out the Turning Point

Published

5 days ago

July 15, 2025

Ray Sportz

Ray Sportz Web Desk: Team India suffered a heartbreaking 22-run defeat at the iconic Lord’s, falling behind 2-1 in the five-match Test series against England. Speaking at the post-match press conference, skipper Shubman Gill pointed to Rishabh Pant’s run-out in the first innings as the decisive moment of the match.
Chasing England’s first-innings total of 387, India were bowled out for exactly the same score. In the second innings, Ravindra Jadeja fought a lone battle, remaining unbeaten on 61, but lacked support from the other end.
“Our top order didn’t perform in this match,” Gill admitted. “If we had one or two big partnerships early on, the result could’ve been different. Pant’s dismissal came totally against the run of play and shifted the momentum.”
India will look to bounce back in the fourth Test at Old Trafford starting July 23.