A disciplined life off the field is key to producing disciplined performances on it, feels Australian great Ricky Ponting, who would love to create good human beings out of solid cricketers.
“The better person you are, itis easy to become a better player.If you haven’t got your personal life in order, it is really difficultto become a disciplined performer on the field,” Ponting said at a promotional of IPL franchise Delhi Capitals here on Friday.
Ponting, who had his run-ins with the Australian cricketing establishment back in the 1990s, understands the kind of attention young Indian players can attract even after just one good innings in the IPL.
Ponting feels that it is not just about bringing in results as a coach in black and white. “I think it is a lot different in our country than it is here and thing about IPL is you see so many younger players get an opportunity that they might not be ready for,” Ponting said.
“I mean they might be ready for cricket side of it but lot of guys are not ready for what comes with that. Looking back at my career, it was the same with me,” Ponting said.
But obviously, the scale of attention in India is infinitely bigger compared to what it is Down Under.
“I guess there wasn’t as much spotlight on me as it is on some young Indian guys. Just due to sheer amount of numbers and things like that, but I think for me, it is about letting players understand how big it is to what they are doing in public eyes.
“And at times, you want to play cricket, represent your franchise, your country and sometimes you don’t see the bigger picture and it’s how everyone perceives you in real world.
“The IPL for a lot of these youngsters is not real world and there are lot of other stuff happening out there and itis notto think about. My job is to make them better players but my job is also to make them better people as well and that’s a bigger part.”
The IPL in a World Cup year becomes a tricky proposition and Ponting, who has been around for close to five years as Delhi Capitals’ head coach, has seen heartbreaks among players aspiring to play for India and feels that the younger guys need to just focus on what’s in their control.
“Ideally, anyone we bring into DC franchise wants to play for India and we want them to have the drive and passion of the bestthatthey can be and every time they get an opportunity to play for us,they win games for us and when you win games for Delhi, you are giving yourself best chance to be in that World Cup squad,” Ponting said.
“One thing I stress to the young guys is thatif they startlooking too far ahead and startthinking about World Cups... you have to start being in present and play your role for the team. It’s my duty to getthese guys ready and win games for us. The other selections (national) are out of my hands.”
Ponting said that David Warner will continue to open the Capitals innings. “I don’t want Warner to bat at No. 4. He has been one of the most successful openers.”
