Ricky Ponting says the addition of Ravi Ashwin will boost Delhi Capitals' chances in this season’s IPL in the UAE.
The side from India’s capital city have the youngest captain of any of the eight franchises.
Shreyas Iyer, who is returning to the country where he represented India in the 2014 Under 19 World Cup, is just 25.
Ponting believes the signings of Ashwin and Ajinkya Rahane, each of whom have captained sides in the IPL in the past, will help ease the load on Iyer.
“Both of them are class players, and have been long-term Indian players,” Ponting said.
“Ashwin has been one of the most successful spinners in IPL history, and Rahane has led Rajasthan for a long time as well.
“They have all sorts of skill, class and experience which they’ll add to our squad.
“We all know how important experience is in T20 cricket, and we understand that.
“We’ve got a young captain in Shreyas, but to have those older, more experienced minds on the ground will help us a lot.”
Ponting oversaw his first training session of the new campaign with the Capitals players at the ICC Academy in Dubai on Tuesday evening.
“The attitude from the start has been amazing, and today was no exception,” Ponting said.
“It was hot and quite draining for the players, but coming off on the back of a good season last year, you would expect the mood to be upbeat.
“I was delighted to see that and it felt awesome to be back in the team environment. I think there’s no better place than to be in the Delhi Capitals camp at the moment.”
Delhi finished third in the table last season, having missed out on the playoffs for the previous six consecutive years.
Ponting, who is starting his third season as the side’s coach, hopes they can build on that performance this time around.
“Last year, I had as much fun as I’ve ever had with a cricket team, and I want to make sure we can replicate that this season as well,” Ponting said.
“I think it’s really important that when you have success, you understand why you have it.
“I’ll be banking on the guys we still have from last year - it’s important for them to remember the positives.
“If they can impose that on the younger and new guys in the team, before you know it, you’re going to have this really infectious attitude around the team again which is what I’m all about as a coach.
“With all the protocols involved, the teams that manage themselves the best throughout the tournament, I think will go a long way.
“What I mean by management is not managing the players, but managing our time as well, and finding things and activities which we can do together as a group.”
