Mumbai Indians coach Ponting wants to ignore defending champions tag

Mumbai Indians head coach Ricky Ponting believes his team must start with a fresh mindset and ignore the tag of 'reigning champions' ahead of the first game of the Indian Premier League 2016.

Mumbai play the IPL 9 opener against state-rivals Rising Pune Giants at the Wankhede Stadium on April 9.

"It doesn't really matter what happened last year now, it's about us putting together a competitive team and making sure were ready to go for the first game," Ponting told cricket.com.au from the Mumbai Indians training camp.

"We thought they were ready to go for the first game last year but it took a little while for us to click into gear."

Last year Mumbai only managed one win from the first six games before dramatically turning around their fortunes to clinch the title.

But this time around Ponting is keen for the team to get off to a better start, and well aware that aim will be made all the more difficult given other teams will be analysing his squad more closely as defending champions.

"Since I arrived last week we have had some tough training sessions and I'm really excited the way the boys have been preparing.

For nearly four hours in the baking hot Mumbai sun Ponting was constantly running around providing advice to his squad.

From assisting the batsmen with back-lifts and correcting head positions, to eradicating poor throwing techniques.  

"I'm a very hands-on coach," he explained. "It's almost like I'm living out my playing days out there again. I love the technical and mental side of batting.

"I've got some great staff around me as well in Jonty (Rhodes) and 'Bondy' (Shane Bond). I make sure they look after their own departments.

"Obviously, as a head coach I have the final say and I like to get out there and do as much coaching as I can."

Despite the nature of the T20 format Ponting insists technique still plays an important role and says the two months of the IPL is sufficient time to alter a process.

"A lot can be changed in terms of technique still," he said. "Plenty of this T20 games comes down to having the skill and being able to execute it at the exact moment.

"It is about having the trust and belief in yourself to execute it and that's what training is all about. We prepare for different situations and that is where a slight technical adjustment might be handy for a player."

Speaking of his coaching methods and approach Ponting stated: "I've given the guys a very clear role – they are well defined.

"They know the way they have to play and then we go ahead and practice it every day. As a coach you hope (they) execute it when you need them to. It's about thinking clearly and reacting to a ball in an over; if you can nail that and get that right then you can achieve some amazing things in this game."

Having commentated on the Big Bash League for the last few years, Ponting felt the big difference between the Big Bash and the IPL is the exposure to quality spinners.  

"I've been here for last three or four seasons and the wickets are generally pretty good," he said. "Yes, they are a bit slower, lower and some might turn a little bit. The only difference (to the BBL) is if you end up facing more high-quality spin bowling.

"In the Big Bash each team has a spinner or a couple of spinners in their side but not the quality of the guys going around in the IPL. Plus they don't have the conditions to give them something either. It is a great place for batsmen to be exposed to play spin bowling."

Courtesy: cricket.com.au