Ponting backs India captain to regain top form
The former Australia batter shared a piece of advice for Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover his rhythm ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup.
ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting urged out-of-form India skipper Suryakumar Yadav to back himself as he prepares to lead India in the upcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.
Yadav has been short of runs and has managed just 218 runs across 19 innings in 2025 and has been well short of his usual aggressive best, striking at a modest rate of 123.16.
“That's as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He's been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn't been able to find it of late,” Ponting said of Yadav.
“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,” said Ponting.
The former Australian captain, however, backed Yadav to return to his best and rediscover the fearless brand of cricket he is renowned for.
“He plays all of his shots and backs himself and a bit like Travis Head where it almost looks like they don't ever fear getting out,” Ponting noted.
“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.”
One of the bigger surprises when the India squad for the T20 World Cup was announced was the omission of Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill.
Gill has struggled to make an impact since returning to India’s T20I setup in September.
The opener has managed just 291 runs across 15 innings, with a highest score of 47, and has been unable to cement his place at the top of the order.
With several players competing for the opening slot, Gill was ultimately left out of the World Cup squad much to the surprise of Ponting.
“Yeah, I couldn't believe that.” Ponting said when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“I know his recent form hasn't been great in white-ball cricket. And the last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK where he batted as well as I've ever seen anybody bat.”
Ponting admitted he was surprised by the decision but pointed to India’s exceptional depth as a key factor.
He noted that the wealth of options allows the selectors to leave out a player of Gill’s calibre.
“I mean one, I'm surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” Ponting stated.
“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.
India have appointed Axar Patel as their new vice-captain, and Ponting believes the 31-year-old’s all-round ability makes him a key figure as India aim to become the first team to win back-to-back T20 World Cups.
“I mean actually Patel's been their go-to man really hasn't he?” said Ponting.
“The last few series he's been their pinch hitter at different times. They've batted him up the order at number three. When they've needed that left hand right hand combination he's been the man to go out and try and do it for them and he's obviously ever consistent with his left-arm off spin as well.”
