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Ricky Ponting Discusses Shubman Gill's Captaincy Challenges

Published 2 days ago3 minute read
Ricky Ponting Discusses Shubman Gill's Captaincy Challenges

Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has provided a detailed assessment of Shubman Gill's preparedness for Test captaincy, suggesting that the young Indian skipper should consider batting at the No. 4 position during the forthcoming five-Test series against England, which commences on June 20. Ponting, who recently coached the Punjab Kings to the IPL 2025 final, expressed his belief that the additional burden of leadership might impact Gill's batting, an area he feels still requires development for the rigors of Test cricket.

Ponting acknowledged Gill's impressive white-ball form but emphasized the need for improvement in his Test match batting. "His white-ball form has been incredibly good," Ponting stated, adding, "But he's got a little bit of work to do on his Test match batting. And that's never easy when you're a new captain — to have to worry about your batting to the degree that he's going to have to. It won't be easy for him."

Gill, who began his Test career as an opener and later transitioned to No. 3, is widely anticipated to fill Virat Kohli’s former No. 4 spot. Ponting views this potential shift as a strategic move that could alleviate pressure on Gill during his initial phase as Test captain. He proposed a batting lineup where Yashasvi Jaiswal and Sai Sudharsan could open, with a more experienced player like KL Rahul or Karun Nair at No. 3. "That would allow Shubman to bat at four," Ponting explained. "Once you grow into it, then you can move yourself back up to No. 3."

Despite these concerns about the immediate challenges, Ponting expressed strong confidence in Gill's long-term leadership capabilities. "He just seems the sort of guy that the extra responsibility wouldn’t faze too much. He’s got a really level head on his shoulders. He’s someone who’s going to be around Indian cricket for another 10 years," Ponting remarked. It was also noted that Shubman Gill will lead the India Test squad for the England tour, with Rishabh Pant as his deputy.

Ponting, renowned as one of cricket’s most astute captains, also delved into specific aspects of Gill's Test batting that require attention. He pointed out Gill's tendency to play with "hard hands" and highlighted occasional lapses in concentration. "I think it’s more his mental application," Ponting observed. "There’s nothing wrong technically. But sometimes, he might get ahead of himself or a little lazy during an innings. You’ve got to be 100% committed for every ball, for six or seven hours of the day. That’s the challenge for Shubman."

Drawing a parallel with former Indian opener Virender Sehwag, Ponting suggested that a perfect defensive technique isn't always a prerequisite for success in Test cricket. "Some great Test players didn’t have great defensive games. But if you’re in control of your strokeplay, that’s less of a worry. Defence is important, but mindset matters more," he concluded, emphasizing the critical role of mental fortitude.

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