/sportsinfo/media/member_avatars/image 59.png)
Follow Us/sportsinfo/media/media_files/G0fAHP8Snq5ClovUIfe8.png)
Ricky Ponting, Rishabh Pant and Atul Wassan (File Photo: X)
Delhi Capitals lost their first two matches in the ongoing Indian Premier League 2024 against Punjab Kings and Rajasthan Royals, respectively. The franchise hasn’t tasted much success in the tournament's history, with only one appearance in the final of the tournament 4 years back in 2020.
Meanwhile, the former Indian pacer Atul Wassan, didn’t look happy with the coaching setup of Delhi and their role in the team's performance. He also downed the emerging ‘foreign coach culture’ in the Indian Premier League, coming up with a shocking example of Delhi Capitals and their head coach in IPL, Ricky Ponting.
“Is he there merely to sit?” – Atul Wasson's explosive take on Ricky Ponting’s role in DC
The former chief selector of Delhi’s state team questioned the role of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, the current head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League. Atul Wassan spoke his heart out on being asked about the journey of Delhi Capitals and their success rate in the history of the tournament.
“It is an injustice with Delhi, what Ricky Ponting is doing in the dugout, is he there merely to sit? they are giving a lot of money to the foreign coaches, so what use of they are being here in IPL?” said Atul Wassan in a live show with Indian Sports Fan founder Sunil Kalra on India News.
“Apart from that, nobody is talking about the overseas experts they bring into their setup, what is their role. By doing this, are you trying to look stronger in the dugout in comparison to your team on the ground? In the 16-year-long history of IPL, DC has reached the final only once in 2020,” he added later.
The critical tone of Atul Wassan toward foreign coaches was also acknowledged and supported by Indian batting great Virat Kohli’s coach Rajkumar Sharma, who was also a part of this discussion during the show.
“I agree with Atul, the IPL teams are very fond of hiring foreign coaches but what are they getting out of all this eventually,” said Rajkumar Sharma.