'Haven’t Won IPL Yet, Things will be Different This Year': Ponting's Straight Instructions to DC Players - WATCH

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2024 around the corner, the Delhi Capitals have kicked off their preparations in Visakhapatnam. Captain Rishabh Pant will be back in action after missing the last season after sustaining multiple injuries in a horrific car crash. Also, head coach Ricky Ponting, who was speculated the franchise after last year’s debacle, is back to guide the team for their maiden title win.

As the IPL 2024 is likely to be conducted in parts due to the general elections in the country, DC have set their base in Vizag where they will play two league-stage games before heading back home. On Friday, coach Ponting addressed the team before getting into the grind and had a clear set of instructions for each one in the side.

Ponting said he will be pushing the players and himself to go for a title win. He also stated that a lot of things this year will change going forward.

“I’m aiming as high as we can aim to win the IPL. Anything less than that for me, I’ve failed. Not you guys, I’ve failed,” Ponting told the DC players.

“Welcome to the Delhi Capitals family. It’s my aim and the coaches’ aim every single day to make you guys better. I want to make sure that over the next 10 weeks, this is the most enjoyable 10 weeks you have had in your life. This is a great opportunity for every single one of you.”

“I love playing with the Delhi Capitals and more important than not, I love contributing to the wins of the Delhi Capitals team. I think this is my seventh season with the Capitals. We haven’t won the IPL yet. And for me this year, things have got to change. Things will be different. I’m going to be different,” he added.

Ponting further said the DC coaching staff will aim to make the players better every day. He also asserted that he would not refrain himself from having from with all but he will be serious at work, expecting the same from the others.

“I’m going to have fun with you all, I’m going to make you better. But what I want from all of you guys for the next 10 weeks is to be the best version of yourself each and every day, and nothing more than that. Because I that if you play to the best of your ability, each and every day in the training ground you train as well as you can, you are going to get better,” Ponting said.

“If you get better as an individual, the team gets better. I love having fun and jokes with 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, come and see me. If you have finished your work and you are doing nothing, the training session is not over. You can find a way to help somebody else.

“That’s the environment and the culture we have here at the Delhi Capitals and we are going to improve on that each and every day this year,” he concluded.