Ricky Ponting looking forward to coaching Australia T20 team

Recently, the Indian Premier League (IPL) franchise, Mumbai Indians had named the former Sri Lankan captain Mahela Jayawardene as their head coach for the upcoming season, who will be replacing former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting.

Ponting is one of the highly rated cricket skippers over the years, who led Australia to two consecutive World Cup victories and has been a part of the Australian team, which won the title three times. Speaking about his skills as a batsman, he is probably the best produced in the country as he is the leading run-getter for Australia in ODIs and Tests.

He mentored the Mumbai Indians team for two years and in 2015, he guided the franchise to the title victory as well. However, there is a vacant position for Australia’s T20 side as a stand-in coach next February as the Aussie Test squad will be in India and the T20 side will be in Australia for a series against Sri Lanka.

Ponting is one of the front runners for being the stand-in coach for the T20 side. While talking to Triple M’s Rush Hour, Ponting said, “Yeah there has been a few inquiries. Darren (Lehmann) will be away with that (Test) team, so they will need someone to coach the Australia T20 team here in Australia. I’m not saying that’s me … Let’s wait and see over the next few months and there will be an announcement I’m sure.”

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Ponting’s name is also floating in for the potential chairman of selectors for Australian cricket as Rod Marsh resigned from the post recently.

Mumbai owner Nita Ambani is pretty happy to have the former Sri Lankan as the replacement. “Jayawardena is an astute figure in the modern era of cricket. He is a perfect role model for the young Mumbai Indians squad,” said Nita Ambani.

Jayawardena, who retired from international cricket in 2015 is excited to join the IPL side as the head coach. “I am very excited by the appointment and glad that the Mumbai Indians management appreciated my presentation and ideas,” quoted Mahela.