IPL 2022: Who impressed Ponting at KKR nets in 2008?

On the 14th anniversary of the Indian Premier League (IPL), Delhi Capitals were able to assemble anecdotes from the inaugural season and the first game, as renowned cricketers such as Shane Watson, Ricky Ponting, and Ajit Agarkar reminisced about their experiences from the 2008 season.

Ponting, who was selected by Kolkata Knight Riders in their inaugural season, recalled his relationship with Brendon McCullum in that memorable season opener before picking an Indian bowler who wowed him at the KKR nets.

Ponting told the Delhi Capitals that Ashok Dinda was the bowler who caught his eye at the nets after he delivered bouncers to all the batters in every practise session for a period of seven to ten days.

Before Ponting persuaded KKR coach John Buchanan to give him a contract, Dinda was still an uncapped player who had only played as a net bowler for the organisation.

“Ashok Dinda was a net bowler for us at Kolkata, and for 7-10 days, he literally ran in and bowled bouncers at all of us for every session. And I ended up saying John Buchanan that ‘there is something about this guy, let’s give him a contract.

“And he ended up getting one. I think he took maybe the first three wickets as well of the IPL, and that was the start of what ended up being the 12 or 13-year career for Ashok Dinda in the IPL,” he said.

It's been 15 years since Talent met Opportunity💙

To celebrate the inception of the #IPL, we caught up with some special people to reminisce the inaugural 2008 season with us 🤩#YehHaiNayiDilli | #IPL2022#TATAIPL | #DelhiCapitals | @RickyPonting @ShaneRWatson33 @imAagarkar pic.twitter.com/3O14U4CWUM

— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) April 18, 2022

Dinda took nine wickets at a 6.67 economy rate throughout the season.

In 2011, he left KKR to join the Delhi Daredevils. Between 2012 and 2013, he also played for Pune Warriors India, Royal Challengers Bangalore in 2014 and 2015, and Rising Pune Supergiant in 2016 and 2017. In 78 matches, he took 69 wickets at an economy rate of 8.20 for a total of 69 wickets.

Ponting also discussed McCullum’s innings and how he attempted to slow him down, but the New Zealand batsman continued to smash boundaries and sixes.

“We didn’t really know about the tempo of the game or what the score was going to be. Brendon was opening the batting, and I was batting at three and got off to an unbelievable start. It seemed like everything he hit had just flew off the bat. I was trying to slow him down a little bit, and he was going harder and harder and ended up playing an incredible innings. What better than seeing the first game of the tournament than someone going out there and getting 158,” he said.

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