In a recent interview with the ICC Review, former Australian cricket captain and World Cup winner Ricky Ponting offered insightful comments on his former teammate, Jason Gillespie, who has recently been appointed as the head coach of the Pakistan cricket team. Ponting drew a notable comparison between Gillespie and India‘s current head coach, Gautam Gambhir, highlighting the similarities in their coaching approaches.
Ponting compared his former teammate to Gambhir .“Jason Gillespie is a bit like Gambhir,” he said.
The former Australian captain praised Gillespie’s strong coaching record, noting that while Gillespie will face challenges, he is a thoughtful and quiet individual who uniquely approaches his work.
“Pretty much everywhere he’s been, his coaching record has been very good. He will face some challenges, no doubt about it. But he’s a deep thinker and a quiet person who goes about his work in his way.”
The veteran cricketer also shared that Gillespie’s appointment was well-received among their former teammates. “We’ve got a few WhatsApp groups from our playing days, and everyone congratulated him and wished him luck in his new role,” Ponting said.
The 49-year-old expressed that he’s not surprised by the changes in Pakistan’s cricket setup, citing their disappointing T20 World Cup performance and emphasizing the need for change to achieve different results.
“To be honest, I’m not surprised by the changes in the Pakistan setup. They had a disappointing T20 World Cup, and if you’re not willing to make changes, you can’t expect different results.”
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Ponting’s possible return to the IPL
In addition to his comments on Gillespie, Ponting addressed rumors regarding his future in coaching. He confirmed that he would not be taking up the England white-ball coaching role but expressed his eagerness to return to the Indian Premier League (IPL). Ponting recently stepped down as the head coach of the Delhi Capitals after a successful seven-year tenure, leaving fans and analysts speculating about his next move.
His successful stint in Major League Cricket (MLC), where he led the Washington Freedom to their inaugural title, has only heightened anticipation about his potential return to the IPL. With the 2025 season on the horizon, several IPL franchises may seek to secure Ponting’s expertise, making his next coaching role one of the most anticipated moves in the cricketing world.
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