Ricky Ponting surprised to see Justin Langer back coaching so soon after taking Lucknow Super Giants spot

Justin Langer’s new role as the head coach of IPL team the Lucknow Super Giants so soon after his messy exit from the Australian men’s team was encouraged by close mate Ricky Ponting.

Ricky Ponting is surprised Justin Langer has taken a full-time coaching gig. Picture: Ryan Pierse/Getty Images

Ricky Ponting says he was surprised to see close mate Justin Langer back in coaching so soon after his messy exit from the Australian men’s team role, revealing that he encouraged the former Test opener to take an opportunity in the Indian Premier League.

Langer was in July announced as the new head coach of the IPL’s Lucknow Super Giants, replacing former Zimbabwe star and England coach Andy Flower.

While Langer had been linked to several vacancies since resigning as Australian coach early last year, the Lucknow job is the first coaching spot he has taken following the Aussie exit.

It means Langer will be pitted against Ponting, who coaches the Delhi Capitals in the world’s most lucrative cricket competition.

Ponting, a long-time teammate and confidante of Langer, said the West Australian had sought the ex-Aussie skipper’s counsel when the Lucknow job became a possibility.

Marcus Stoinis plays for the Lucknow Super Giants. Picture: Arun Sankar/AFP

“I didn’t expect him to be back into coaching as quick as he is,” Ponting told CODE Sports.

“The opportunity came across his desk when we were in England doing the Ashes together and he said, ‘What do you think?’

“I said, ‘Mate, if you’re up to it, you’ll love it.’ It’s a great environment to be back in again and the competitive juices that I know he’s had pent up for the last couple of years, you can get them flowing again. And he’s taken over a pretty good squad as well.”

Lucknow, an expansion IPL franchise, made the finals in 2023 but lost in the eliminator to the Mumbai Indians.

Captained by Indian veteran KL Rahul, the Super Giants’ squad features Australian all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, a member of the Aussies Twenty20 side that won the World Cup in Langer’s final few months in the job.

Langer opted not to accept a short-term contract extension from Cricket Australia amid a controversial end to his almost four years as coach, leaving the role amid a degree of player discontent over his behaviour despite winning the World Cup and the Ashes. Langer, who enjoyed success as coach of the Big Bash League’s Perth Scorchers before taking the Aussie job, has since worked as a broadcaster, columnist and sits on the board of the West Coast Eagles.

Ponting was Langer’s assistant during his stint as head coach of the Australian men’s team. Picture: Stephen Pond/Getty Images

Ponting noted that the IPL role was far from limited to the two months of the competition given the league’s growing footprint around the world.

“Your IPL work never stops. There’s comps going on all around the world, and you’re looking at players and trying to scout and identify players. So that doesn’t stop, but it makes it more exciting,” Ponting said.

“I love that job, it’s just about my favourite time of the year.”

Ponting is meanwhile optimistic about the BBL’s Hobart Hurricanes returning to the finals this year after his disappointing first season as the club’s head of strategy.

Hobart – one of two BBL clubs never to have won the competition – claimed Chris Jordan, Sam Hain and Corey Anderson at last week’s overseas player draft, but Ponting stressed the importance of home grown talent.

Local player Caleb Jewell had a strong season for the Hobart Hurricanes. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

“We're trying to build a really strong core of domestic players and we’re a bit like what Perth where the overseas slots don’t become as important,” Ponting said.

“So we've got some young talent down there like Caleb Jewell was outstanding last year, we’ve got Mitch Owen as a young Tasmanian all-rounder that will get some opportunity this year. And when you look at (Riley) Meredith, (Billy) Stanlake, (Nathan) Ellis, (Paddy) Dooley, (Peter) Hatzoglou, if we can keep that sort of group of bowlers together then it’s pretty good squad.

“Last year was a disappointing season, with the squad that we had, missing the playoffs by that one game. So hopefully we can go a step further this year and qualify because it's about time, we have to win something, simple as that. So now one of the reasons I took this job was to try and bring some success to the Hobart Hurricanes, so hopefully it’s this year.”

Ponting’s media commitments will again preclude him from spending much time around the Hurricanes during the season.

Originally published as Ricky Ponting surprised to see Justin Langer back coaching so soon after taking Lucknow Super Giants spot