He chose to work alongside his former captain.
In a recent development coming in, a former Australia cricketer has rejected an extension offer from Delhi Capitals and instead chose to join fellow countrymen Ricky Ponting at his new franchise Punjab Kings (PBKS).
Ponting, who was serving as DC’s head coach till last season parted ways earlier this year with PBKS roping him in as head coach ahead of the next season (IPL 2025). Along with Ponting, ex-Aussie all-rounder James Hopes will now leave DC to be a part of the Punjab-based outfit.
Notably, Hopes was offered an extension by DC after Ponting’s contract with the team was not renewed but Hopes chose to work alongside his former captain.
The appointment of Hopes also indicates the departure of Charl Langeveldt, the former South African pacer who worked as the team’s fast-bowling coach under Trevor Bayliss in the 2023 and 2024 seasons. Langeveldt also previously served as the bowling coach for the franchise in the 2020 season.
Ponting has also decided to retain another Australian in Brad Haddin, who has served as an assistant coach with the team for the past few years. Originally brought in by ex-PBKS coach Trevor Bayliss, Haddin previously collaborated with Bayliss at Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH). He will continue to oversee the franchise’s batting and wicket-keeping development.
Additionally, Ponting has opted to keep Sunil Joshi, the former India spinner and chief selector. Joshi has been part of the Punjab franchise for the past two seasons, focusing on spin bowling coaching.
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With the retention deadline day approaching soon, one of Ponting’s primary tasks will be to finalize the list of released and retained players, and reports suggest the franchise will once again enter the auction with the largest budget available.
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