Ricky Ponting has shared an in depth assessment of India’s team combination ahead of the second Test against South Africa, especially after their 30-run loss in Kolkata. India’s decision to advertise Washington Sundar to No. 3 drew attention, as he showed composure with scores of 29 and 31 but couldn’t prevent India from failing to chase a modest goal of 124.
While Sundar impressed together with his technique and patience, Ponting believes this move may not work outside India, especially on foreign pitches where conditions are vastly different. He stressed that despite Sundar’s promise, India still needs a more specialised option at No. 3 when playing overseas.
Ponting’s Take On Sundar’s Promotion And Team Balance
Ponting praised Sundar’s temperament, highlighting how his performances in England had already shown that he “looks every bit like a Test batter.” Yet he maintained that India should be careful about their batting order abroad. Addressing the character of Indian pitches, Ponting reiterated his earlier concerns, saying, “I’ve been on record for a number of years talking about this exactly. They prepare these wickets a lot in favour of spinners that it negates the standard of their spin.”
He continued :
“It makes the opposition spinners that probably aren’t as skilful because the Indians. It makes them higher once they get wickets that turn like that. The opposite knock on Indian cricket is that within the last 5 – 6 years, they don’t play spin in addition to they did once as a batting group. So, for me, it’s just that they’re evening it up for everyone else. I feel Recent Zealand last yr was an incredible example of that.”
He also identified that Washington Sundar may need been promoted simply to fill a short lived gap, given his dual role as an all-rounder. Ponting said this selection might have been a one-off decision so as to add flexibility to the team.
He added, “You most likely have a look at that and think it’s a wierd selection because the standard of batter that there’s around India – you think that, ‘Is he one of the best or is there someone potentially who can play higher within the role?’ That may need been him filling the gap – him batting at three and being that fourth spinner in that side. It may need been to make up for that one game.”
Ponting On Pant’s Leadership And India’s Missed Chase
With Rishabh Pant prone to lead India within the second Test because of Shubman Gill’s injury, Ponting expressed full confidence in him. He explained that Pant’s IPL captaincy experience provides him with a powerful foundation for leadership on the Test level.
Ponting said, “It’s never easy to come back and fill in for a stop-gap captain, especially while you’ve lost a Test match few days before. Rishabh within reason an experienced Test-match player now and being a wicketkeeper probably helps him see how the sport is evolving and what’s happening in the sport. So, he’s done it in IPL for the previous couple of years and did it for Delhi before that. I feel he shall be high-quality.”
Ricky Ponting agreed that India must have chased 124, stating, “Recent Zealand outplayed them for wickets that were designed and meant for the Indian players. I saw Gambhir’s quote and it’s fair enough – chasing 120 within the last innings, they need to’ve been in a position to get that done.” As India heads into the crucial second Test in Guwahati, they have to win to avoid one other home series defeat inside a yr.
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