Ricky Ponting feels that the constant pressure of being a star player for Royal Challengers Bengaluru has taken a toll on Glenn Maxwell, who has taken an indefinite break from the IPL.

"For someone like Glenn in that team (RCB), he being one of the 'Big Dogs' along with Virat, a lot of pressure comes on a couple of players. If they don't perform, the results tend to not follow them," Ponting, coach of Delhi Capitals, said.

RCB, losing six of their seven games, are placed last among the 10 teams. "If you see what they have done in the tournament so far, pressure builds up on individual players as well. I read that article today (Tuesday) morning that Glenn wants to step aside, just have a few games off and try and refresh.

"Every individual is different, right? Some guys would want to get going and push through that and get some runs on board and thus that will change their way of how they think about the game... and some guys need to step back and have a break," the former Australia captain said.

Speaking on the mental well-being of the players, Ponting said: "That's why one needs to be really understanding as a coach now that anyone who is around the cricket team, their health and well-being and welfare of the players is something you think about first."

Ponting believes that for elite athletes and coaches, it is important to have their loved ones around them. "With more and more cricket being played, a lot of times you are away from home when you play international sport. You are away from all the things that make you happy, that certainly is the biggest part of what we do, coaching or playing.

"I am lucky to have my family now and I have had them here for a few weeks. It makes it a bit easier for me having spent a lot of time away from my family."