Australian batting legend and Delhi Capitals' head coach
Ricky Ponting
once again faces a stiff challenge to turn the fortunes of Delhi franchise that is yet to win the IPL title after futile attempts in 16 previous seasons of the league since its inception in 2008.
The biggest fillip that the team has received is the return of wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant after a 14-month layoff following a car accident in December 2022, which required extensive surgical intervention and rehabilitation.
But Ponting stressed on the importance of each player getting better as an individual to contribute to the team's success.
"I am going to have fun with you all. I am going to make you better. But what I want from all of you for the next 10 weeks is to be the best version of yourself each and every day. Nothing more than that. Because I know that if you play to the best of your ability each and every day, and you train as well as you can, you are going to get better. If you get better as an individual, the team gets better," said Ponting in his first address of the season.
It's the seventh season for Ponting as Delhi coach and he vowed to turn things around this season.
"I am aiming as high as we can aim to win the IPL. Anything less than that for me, I fail. Not you guys, I fail...I think this is my seventh season here at the Delhi Capitals, and we haven't won the IPL yet. And for me, this year, things are going to change, things are going to be different, I am going to be different.
"It's my aim and the coaches' aim every single day to make you guys better. I want to make sure that it is the most enjoyable 10 weeks you have ever had in your life," said the three-time ODI World Cup winner.
Ponting stressed on the importance of training hard and contributing to each other's success.
"I love having fun and jokes with the players, but when it's cricket time, it's cricket time. If it takes you half an hour and you are done, go. If you ever want any extra (time to train), come and see me, come and ask me. If you have finished your work and you are sitting down here doing nothing, your training session is not over. You can find a way to help somebody else," Ponting said without mincing words.
"That's the environment and the culture we have here at Delhi Capitals and we are going to improve on that each and every day this year."
DC play their tournament opener with an away fixture against the Punjab Kings at the newly-built stadium in Mullanpur.
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