Ahead of the much-anticipated T20 World Cup starting on February 7, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has thrown his weight behind India's out-of-form skipper, Suryakumar Yadav. Ponting's advice comes despite Yadav's challenging run in 2025, where he has managed only 218 runs across 19 innings at a strike rate of 123.16.
Ponting's Message: Trust Your Natural Game
Ponting expressed his surprise at Yadav's recent struggles, given his long-standing reputation as a solid and consistent performer for India in T20 cricket. Speaking to the ICC, the legendary batsman advised Yadav to revert to his fearless, instinctive style of play. "He's an interesting one because when I've seen him play his best, he's taken six or eight or 10 balls to get going and then just lets it all go," Ponting observed.
He drew a parallel between Yadav's approach and that of Australia's explosive opener, Travis Head, noting that both batters seem to play without the fear of dismissal. "That's what I'd say to him. I'd be saying, think about scoring runs, don't think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You're proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format and go and prove it to everybody once again," Ponting emphasized.
Praise for Axar Patel, Shock Over Gill's Exclusion
Ponting also commended the Indian selection committee's decision to appoint all-rounder Axar Patel as the team's vice-captain for the tournament. He highlighted Patel's growing importance and versatility within the squad. "I mean, actually, Patel's been their go-to man, really hasn't he? The last few series, he's been their pinch hitter at different times. They've batted him up the order at number three... and he's obviously ever consistent with his left-arm off spin as well," Ponting stated.
However, the former Australian captain admitted he was taken aback by the omission of Shubman Gill from the T20 World Cup squad. Gill, who leads India in ODIs and Tests, has scored 291 runs in his last 15 white-ball innings, with a highest score of 47. "Yeah, I couldn't believe that," Ponting said during an appearance on The ICC Review. He recalled Gill's brilliant form during the Test series in England, adding, "he batted as well as I've ever seen anybody bat."
A Testament to India's Immense Depth
Despite his initial surprise, Ponting interpreted Gill's absence as a reflection of the formidable talent pool in Indian cricket. "I mean one, I'm surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket. If you can think that someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn't get picked in a World Cup squad, then it goes to show how many good players they do have," he explained.
Ponting's insights underscore a crucial philosophy for high-stakes tournaments: backing proven match-winners like Suryakumar Yadav during lean patches and leveraging the full strength of a squad's depth. As the T20 World Cup 2025 approaches, his words serve as both a reassurance for the Indian captain and a reminder of the tough selection calls faced by the team management.
