Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting’s relationship with India has come full circle, moving from fierce rivalry as a player to deep respect as a coach. Ricky Ponting was once seen as the ultimate enemy by Indian fans, but he now enjoys immense admiration across the country.
From rivalry to respect: Ricky Ponting finds second home in India
The former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, has openly acknowledged that he understands why he was not liked by the Indian fans during his playing days, given the intense battles and heated moments between the two teams. But with time, that anger has slowly turned into praise, love, and respect.
Ponting has openly said that India has become a second home for him. Over the years, the legendary Australian batter has spent countless days in India, first as a player and now as a coach. This allowed him to connect closely with Indian culture, people, and the energy of different cities.
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Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by SEN: “Yeah, I mean, I really appreciate what’s coming my way now, and I actually understood back at the start why I wasn’t so liked in India. So, I’ve seen both sides of it. I think I’ve spent so much time in India now.
I’ve probably been to India 50 times maybe through my playing days and the last 10 or 12 years of coaching, so it really has become a second home. I’ve got to learn a lot about the people and the culture and really enjoy the different cities that I’ve lived in.”
Ricky Ponting’s new life in Indian cricket
He worked with the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in the IPL, and now he is the head coach of the Punjab Kings (PBKS). During this time, Ponting has worked closely with local players and teams, earning trust and respect wherever he went.
As a coach, Ponting said that he feels welcomed and valued, which is completely different from his playing days. By sharing his experience and knowledge, the former Australian captain believes that he has given back to Indian cricket and its cities.
He added, “Obviously, coached in Mumbai, coached in Delhi, and now up in Punjab last year. And yeah, everywhere I’ve been as far as coaching is concerned, I’ve been really well accepted. And I think I’ve been able to really give a lot back to the people of the cities that I’ve coached in.”
Ricky Ponting shines a light on how his and India’s relationship has gone from arch enemy to revered ❤️#Cricket pic.twitter.com/gk0rknSEn6
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) January 16, 2026
Ricky Ponting’s fierce rivalry with India
Ricky Ponting’s rivalry with India was not just about cricket; it was also about strong emotions, big clashes, and many controversies. On the field, Ponting tormented India constantly with his batting and gave the biggest blow in the 2003 World Cup final, where he completely shattered their dream of lifting the trophy. That performance made him one of India’s toughest opponents.
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The rivalry was also filled with ugly moments. The tension reached its peak during the 2008 Sydney Test, which saw the Monkeygate scandal involving Andrew Symonds and Harbhajan Singh. During that series, Ponting’s aggressive captaincy, constant pressure on umpires, and strong reactions on the field drew heavy criticism from Indian players and fans.
Before that, the 2006 Champions Trophy also saw heated moments, including Ponting appearing to move then BCCI president Sharad Pawar off the stage in a hurry during the trophy presentation. Ponting was also involved in a furious argument with the umpires over a slow over-rate penalty during the tournament.
Throughout the late 1990s and 2000s, Ponting and the Australian team were known for their intense sledging and aggressive on-field behavior. This attitude made Australia highly successful, but it also turned them into villains for many Indian fans.
