IPL 2022: As Soon As Ricky Ponting Talked In Team Meetings, Everyone Would Be Quiet - Shane Watson

Former Australian all-rounder Shane Watson acclaimed Delhi Capitals head coach Rick Ponting for his incredible coaching skills and for providing clarity to his team.

The former Australian skipper scored 27483 international runs in 668 innings across all formats of international cricket and is currently the third-highest run-scorer behind Kumar Sangakkara (28016) and Sachin Tendulkar (34357).

Ponting joined the Delhi outfit in 2018 under his management, the team qualified for the playoffs for the last years in a row. Before Ponting’s arrival, Delhi Capitals weren’t a powerful force in the IPL as they would finish at the bottom of the points table on most instances.

Ricky Ponting says exactly what needs to be said: Shane Watson

Watson, who joined the Capitals this year as the assistant coach of Ponting, mentioned that when the head coach talked in the team meeting, nobody would open their mouth. Watson also said that Ponting has the ability to deliver his instructions in a succinct way.

“When he talks (at DC meetings), it is like when he was captain of Australia. In a team meeting, there would be, sort of, people talking everywhere. And then, as soon as Ricky talked, everyone would be quiet. He says exactly what needs to be said,” Watson told Grade Cricketer podcast.

“Doesn’t use any extra words that don’t need to be used. And everyone’s like – ‘okay. We get it. Let’s go’. That’s the incredible skill that he has got. He simplifies things down and knows how to inspire people. Cut away all the noise and just say this is what we need to do,” he added. 

Ricky Ponting is one of the best captains that I have worked with: Shane Watson

Watson played under Ponting’s leadership in the Australian team during his 14 years of international cricket. The 40-year-old is set to start his coaching career under someone whom he considers the best captain of all time.

“It was on my horizon (coaching,) but it was only going to be under a couple of coaches. If I had to get into coaching and learn my skills, it was going to be under Ricky. He is one of the best captains that I have worked with. He’s an incredible person; he cares for people. He’s got great emotional intelligence and understanding of people around him,” Watson said. 

Delhi Capitals will be led by wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant and they will play their first match against Mumbai Indians on March 27 at the Brabourne Stadium in Mumbai.

Also Read: IPL 2022: Rishabh Pant Can Only Continue To Get Better And Learn From Ricky Ponting- Shane Watson