NEW DELHI — Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in India T20 skipper Suryakumar Yadav despite his recent dip in form, backing him to play a key role as India attempts to defend its T20 World Cup title beginning February 7.
Yadav has struggled for consistency in 2025, scoring 218 runs in 19 innings at a strike rate of 123.16. Even so, Ponting said the Indian captain’s past record and attacking mindset make him too important to doubt.
“That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form,” Ponting said in comments to the ICC. “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 Yadav’s success has often come after giving himself time at the crease before unleashing his full range of shots.
“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 said. “He plays all of his shots and backs himself, and a bit like Travis Head, it almost looks like they don’t ever fear getting out.”
Ponting said his advice to Yadav would be simple: focus on scoring rather than worrying about dismissal.
“That’s what I’d say to him. 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,” he said.
Ponting also welcomed India’s decision to name Axar Patel as vice-captain, praising the all-rounder’s growing importance to the side.
“Patel’s been their go-to man, really, hasn’t he?” Ponting said. “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 do it for them, and he’s obviously ever consistent with his left-arm spin as well.”
The former Australia skipper admitted he was surprised by the omission of Shubman Gill from India’s T20 World Cup squad, despite Gill captaining the team in ODIs and Tests. Gill has scored 291 runs in 15 T20 innings, with a highest score of 47, and has struggled to secure a permanent role at the top of the order.
“Yeah, I couldn’t believe that,” Ponting said while speaking on The ICC Review. “I know his recent form hasn’t been great in white-ball cricket.”
Ponting said Gill’s exclusion underlines the depth of Indian cricket.
“I’m surprised, but it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” he said. “If someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn’t get picked in a World Cup squad, it goes to show how many quality players they do have.” (Source: IANS)
