Ricky Ponting downplays "rivalry" with Ganguly from playing days, advocates leaving the past behind

Ricky Ponting has opened up on his experience working alongside Sourav Ganguly at the Delhi Capitals in the 2023 edition of the Indian Premier League. The Delhi franchise has one of the most star-studden dugouts in the tournament, with head coach Ponting flanked by former Indian skipper Ganguly as the director of cricket. Other former cricketers that form part of the coaching staff include Shane Watson, James Hopes, Ajit Agarkar, and Pravin Amre, among other support staff members.

Speaking on the Delhi Capitals podcast, Ponting opened up on working with Ganguly, against whom he faced off several times  in international cricket.

On the podcast, Ponting said that Steve Waugh was a bigger rival for Ganguly than he was, even though they were both captains of their respective sides in a World Cup final. 

Speaking of the current setup, however, Ponting said that he and Ganguly get on really well because they share a vision for the bigger picture with regards to Delhi Capitals and what to do to guarantee them success. He went on to say that you have to come together, focus on one direction, and leave the past behind when you're working on the same team regardless of whether you were "good mates" or not.

Ponting went on to illustrate his point by citing working with Harbhajan Singh during his time at Mumbai Indians, calling the former Indian spinner one of those greatest rivals on the field. He referenced how he was taking catches of Harbhajan's bowling and hugging him despite their rivalry on the international stage, saying that international rivalries were not as intense because of players working together in the IPL, which was a really good thing about the tournament.

Ponting and Ganguly had also worked together in the 2019 season of the IPL, where the Capitals ended up finishing third in the points table. The current edition has not proved to be as fruitful, with the Capitals languishing at the bottom of the table and positive moments few and far between. While there is still a mathematical chance of Delhi sneaking into the playoff places, it would take several results going their way for that to happen.