IPL | Ricky Ponting's seven-year tenure at Delhi Capitals comes to a close

Ricky Ponting was appointed in the role of head coach ahead of the 2018 season when the franchise was still named Delhi Daredevils. The side finished with the wooden spoon during Ponting's first year in charge but went on to make the playoffs in the next three seasons, including a finals appearance in 2020 where they lost to the Mumbai Indians and topping the league stage in 2021. However, the team has suffered another downturn in fortune since, ending up fifth, ninth, and sixth respectively in the ensuing seasons, prompting the Capitals to look in a different direction ahead of the 2025 mega auction.

‌"As you move on as our head coach, we're finding it incredibly hard to put this down in words. The four things you told us about in every huddle - care, commitment, attitude and effort - they sum up our seven summers together. Seven summers of you being hands-on, but also hands-off, so that we could become better. As athletes, yes, but more importantly, as human beings. Seven summers of you reaching every training session first, and leaving last. Seven summers of you sprinting out of the dugout during strategic timeouts, and biting your nails off until there were none left," the social media announcement from the Capitals read.

"Seven summers of your dressing room speeches - the speeches, Oh! (Separate post for that loading) Seven summers of your hugs, shoulder pats and fist pumps for us all - newcomer, superstar... and everyone in-between. Thank you for everything, Coach! Like, you often close out, 'Let's leave this here mate, grab a beer, get back to work tomorrow, yeah?'"

It remains to be seen whether the Capitals will make further changes to their support staff, which at the moment includes director of cricket Sourav Ganguly, assistant coach Pravin Amre, bowling coach James Hopes, and fielding coach Biju George.