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Ponting Reveals How He Pleaded Delhi Capitals to Keep Young Star Abhishek Sharma

Ricky Ponting has revealed he desperately pleaded with Delhi Capitals management to retain a teenage Abhishek Sharma ahead of the 2019 season. Ponting, who coached Abhishek during his 2018 debut, immediately saw "something extra special" in the then 17-year-old. Despite Ponting's efforts, Abhishek was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad, where he has flourished into the world's top-ranked T20I batter. His explosive opening partnership with Travis Head at SRH has cemented his reputation as a fearless six-hitting machine.

Key Points: Ricky Ponting Pleaded Delhi Capitals to Keep Abhishek Sharma

  • Ponting's early recognition of talent
  • Abhishek's rise to No. 1 T20I batter
  • Impactful partnership with Travis Head
  • Stellar IPL performance since 2023
2 min read

Ponting reveals "pleading" with Delhi Capitals to keep Abhishek Sharma ahead of 2019 season

Ricky Ponting recalls pleading with Delhi Capitals not to trade a young Abhishek Sharma, who has since become a top T20I batter for India and SRH.

"I pleaded and pleaded and pleaded and said, please do not do this. We've got to (keep him), there is an absolute superstar in the making here. - Ricky Ponting"

New Delhi, January 31

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recalled how during his days as a coach with Delhi Capitals, he "pleaded" with them to retain the star Indian opener Abhishek Sharma, but he was traded to Sunrisers Hyderabad eventually.

Ahead of the T20 World Cup, Abhishek has made a name for himself as one of the finest T20I batters worldwide and is ranked number one in ICC Rankings. In 38 T20Is, he has made 1,297 runs in 37 innings at an average of 37.05 and a strike rate of over 194, with two centuries and eight fifties and a best score of 135.

He has developed a reputation as a fearless six-hitting machine since being paired with Australian opener Travis Head for Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in IPL 2024, delighting one and all with his stunning hits and strike rates during IPL, Team India and domestic cricket matches.

Speaking on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Ponting said as quoted by ICC, "I was his first IPL coach. He (Abhishek) debuted with me, I think as a 17-year-old at Delhi and made an immediate impact."

"I think he hit his first ball for four or six straight back over the bowler's head with that classical sort of straight bat and held the pose. And you could just see then as a 17-year-old that there was something extra special. We ended up trading him away from Delhi, but I pleaded and pleaded and pleaded and said, please do not do this. We've got to (keep him), there is an absolute superstar in the making here."

"And that is what it is turned out to be. I have got really high hopes for him in this time," he concluded.

In three matches for DC in the 2018 season, he scored 63 runs in three matches, including a scintillating 46* on debut against Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB). Since 2019, he has been representing SRH.

In the last two seasons with SRH, opening alongside Head has put Abhishek on the map as a ruthless powerplay hitter who can break records and entertain crowds when he is on song. In 30 matches since the last two seasons, he has made 923 runs at an average of 32.96 and a strike rate of almost 199, with a century and five fifties and 82 sixes.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Sarah B
As a cricket fan from Australia, it's fascinating to see Ponting's mentorship. He spotted a raw 17-year-old's potential. That partnership with Travis Head at SRH is pure fireworks! 🔥 Best thing that could have happened for his career.
A
Ananya R
Honestly, DC's loss is SRH's massive gain. Can't imagine our Orange Army without him now. His six-hitting is just insane! Hope he carries this form into the World Cup for India. 🇮🇳
V
Vikram M
This is why IPL franchises need to listen to their coaches, especially legends like Ponting. Short-term gains over long-term vision is a problem. At least he found the perfect platform at Hyderabad to express himself.
K
Karthik V
Strike rate of almost 199 in the last two IPL seasons? That's not just good, that's legendary stuff. He and Head are redefining powerplay batting. Delhi must be kicking themselves.
P
Priya S
Respectfully, while Ponting's point is valid, maybe the trade worked out for Abhishek's development. Sometimes a change of scene is needed. At DC, he might not have gotten the same opening role with Shaw and others there. Everything happens for a reason!

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