Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has disclosed that he was approached to become India's next head cricket coach, but the demands of the job make it unlikely for him to accept the position. Ponting, 49, currently holds several coaching and strategic roles, including head coach of Delhi Capitals in the Indian Premier League (IPL), head of strategy at Hobart Hurricanes for Australia's Big Bash League, and head coach of Washington Freedom in the US Major League Cricket tournament.

Ponting mentioned that there were preliminary discussions during the IPL to gauge his interest in the position. However, he emphasized that taking on the role would require stepping away from his involvement in the IPL, as national coaching responsibilities would consume up to 11 months of the year.

"As much as I'd like to do it, it just doesn't fit into my lifestyle right now and the things that I really enjoy doing," Ponting said.

The current India coach, Rahul Dravid, will vacate the position after the T20 World Cup in June, and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) is seeking a replacement until the next 50-over World Cup in 2027. India has not won a global title since the 2013 Champions Trophy under their last foreign coach, Duncan Fletcher.

Reports indicate that former India batsman Gautam Gambhir, former New Zealand captain Stephen Fleming, and Australian Justin Langer have also been considered for the role.

Ponting shared a personal anecdote about his son’s enthusiasm for the potential move, saying, "I had a whisper to my son about it, and I said, 'Dad's been offered the Indian coaching job' and he said, 'Just take it dad, we would love to move over there for the next couple of years.' That's how much they love being over there and the culture of cricket in India, but right now it probably doesn't exactly fit into my lifestyle."