Delhi Capitals will open their IPL 2024 campaign against Punjab Kings in Mohali on March 23.
Ahead of the upcoming season, the Delhi-based franchise has also received a big boost, with the BCCI declaring their designated skipper Rishabh Pant fit.
Notably, Pant has been out of competitive action ever since his horrific car crash in December 2022. The wicketkeeper-batter then underwent an extended rehabilitation at the NCA and missed out on all the action last year, including the IPL, WTC final, Asia Cup and World Cup.
In his first address of the season, Ponting highlighted the importance of each player getting better as an individual to contribute to the team's success.
"I am going to have fun with you all. I am going to make you better. But what I want from all of you for the next 10 weeks is to be the best version of yourself each and every day. Nothing more than that. Because I know that if you play to the best of your ability each and every day, and you train as well as you can, you are going to get better. If you get better as an individual, the team gets better," said Ponting in a video posted by DC on social media.
Ponting has been associated with Delhi Capitals since 2018. Under his guidance, DC made it to the playoffs in 2019 and 2021 while they finished as runners-up in the 2020 season.
The Capitals managed five wins in 14 games last year, finishing in the second-last position in the standings. However, Ponting vowed to turn things around this season.
"I am aiming as high as we can aim to win the IPL. Anything less than that for me, I fail. Not you guys, I fail...I think this is my seventh season here at the Delhi Capitals, and we haven't won the IPL yet. And for me, this year, things are going to change, things are going to be different, I am going to be different.
"It's my aim and the coaches' aim every single day to make you guys better. I want to make sure that it is the most enjoyable 10 weeks you have ever had in your life," the Australian legend stated.
Ricky Ponting, who led Australia to two World Cup titles during his illustrious playing career, also stressed on the importance of training hard and contributing to each other's success.
"I love having fun and jokes with the players, but when it's cricket time, it's cricket time. If it takes you half an hour and you are done, go. If you ever want any extra (time to train), come and see me, come and ask me. If you have finished your work and you are sitting down here doing nothing, your training session is not over. You can find a way to help somebody else," Ponting said.
"That's the environment and the culture we have here at Delhi Capitals and we are going to improve on that each and every day this year."
While the IPL 2024 season is all set to get underway on March 22, Delhi Capitals will open their campaign a day later against Punjab Kings in Mohali.