Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been named head coach of the Indian Premier League’s Mumbai Indians.

Ponting takes the helm of the Indians for season eight of the Twenty20 competition from former New Zealand captain John Wright.

Wright has been in charge for the past two seasons, leading Mumbai to victory in 2013 and guiding them to fourth place this year.

The next IPL season starts in April.

Ponting, 39, retired from international cricket in 2012, is a former captain of the Indians.

“We are delighted to have Ricky back with us and look forward to his contribution based on his experience and expertise,” former India spin bowler Anil Kumble, who is part of the Mumbai Owners Group, said in a statement on the club’s website.