Shikhar Dhawan’s move to Delhi Capitals in the IPL was hindered by team head coach Ricky Ponting, despite efforts from Sourav Ganguly, reveals Mohammad Kaif, who was the assistant coach of the team at the time. 
According to Kaif, Ponting had opposed the transfer, arguing that Dhawan's career had peaked, especially as he had recently lost his place in India's Test squad. Kaif shared these details in a video posted on his social media, recalling how Ganguly, the cricket director of JSW Sports (which co-owns Delhi Capitals), pushed for Dhawan’s inclusion.

Ganguly's Efforts and Ponting’s Concerns

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The controversy also reportedly involved Australian cricketer David Warner, who was with Sunrisers Hyderabad at the time. Kaif suggested that Warner may have influenced Ponting’s decision to dismiss the idea of bringing Dhawan to Delhi. However, despite initial resistance from Ponting, Ganguly and the team management pushed through with the transfer, and Dhawan eventually moved from Sunrisers Hyderabad to Delhi Capitals.

Dhawan’s arrival proved to be a turning point for the franchise, as he quickly became one of their main players. Under his leadership, Delhi reached the IPL finals in 2020. Kaif also expressed the view that if Ponting had managed the team better, Delhi Capitals might have won the IPL title during his tenure as head coach. 
Ponting’s Coaching Criticised for Missing IPL Title

Kaif further criticised Ponting’s coaching, claiming that the former Australian captain’s tactics were one of the reasons Delhi Capitals never won the IPL under his leadership. Commenting on his new role as head coach of Punjab Kings, Kaif stated that Ponting’s decision to release key players like Arshdeep Singh, Kagiso Rabada, and Liam Livingstone was a major mistake. He argued that retaining these players would have significantly strengthened Punjab Kings' chances. 

Kaif also suggested that the team management eventually realised that Ponting’s strategies were ineffective, leading to his departure from the team. 

“Ponting is undoubtedly a great figure in world cricket, potentially in the same league as Sachin Tendulkar, but if the team owners allowed him to leave, it was clear that they felt his strategies were not working,” Kaif added.

Dhawan’s Impact and IPL Career

Dhawan, who was part of Delhi’s squad in the inaugural IPL season when the team was known as Delhi Daredevils, returned to the franchise in 2019. That season, he scored 521 runs. Over the next two seasons, he continued to be a key performer, amassing 618 runs in 2020 and 587 runs in 2021, helping Delhi reach the IPL final in 2020. 

In 2022, Dhawan moved to Punjab Kings, where he continues to play an important role.

Shikhar Dhawan, fondly known as ‘Gabbar’ in Indian cricket, announced his retirement from both international and domestic cricket in August this year.