Is Ponting Right to Support Gill as Test Captain?

New Delhi, June 7 (NationPress) Australia cricketing icon Ricky Ponting has expressed his support for Shubman Gill as India’s newly appointed Test captain, elaborating on how he envisions the team for their forthcoming five-Test series in England — their first tour without legendary figures Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

With both Kohli and Rohit, who are considered two of India’s modern cricketing legends, announcing their retirements from Test cricket earlier this month, India is embarking on a significant generational transition. At the young age of 25, Gill has been entrusted with the captaincy — a decision that surprised some analysts, yet not Ponting.

“I genuinely believe it’s the right decision,” Ponting stated during an interview on The ICC Review, addressing the discussions surrounding Gill’s selection. “There are many pundits questioning why it wasn’t Bumrah and why they opted for Shubman, but I think it’s quite straightforward.

“Bumrah has been hampered by injuries in recent years, and having a captain who frequently misses games isn’t ideal. Hence, I believe this is the correct choice. Now that the decision has been made, they should commit to it and provide him a significant opportunity to lead.”

Ponting, who has collaborated with Gill during their IPL engagements, commended the young batsman's temperament and leadership abilities, especially after steering the Gujarat Titans through a challenging IPL 2025 season.

“Reflecting on how he managed the current GT team throughout this IPL, I think he possesses strong leadership qualities,” Ponting remarked.

“Additionally, a key aspect of leadership is that if you’re a batsman in a captaincy role, you need to be scoring runs. Shubman is excelling in the IPL, making this an opportune moment. I anticipate a capable captain who will contribute significantly with the bat in Tests moving forward.”

While Ponting has no doubts regarding Gill's leadership, the batting order position remains undecided. Having alternated between opening and batting at No. 3 throughout his 32-Test career, Ponting suggested that Gill might find batting lower in the order advantageous.

“I believe (Sai) Sudharsan and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will take on the opening roles in England, as Sudharsan appears to be a class player and technically equipped for Test cricket,” Ponting indicated.

“With two relatively inexperienced opening batsmen, they might consider adding someone with more experience at No.3. Whether that’s KL Rahul or Karun Nair at that position, Shubman could potentially slot in at No.4, which might ease his responsibilities as a young captain.

“Not having to open or bat at No.3 might simplify his role. Their top five could likely consist of Sudarshan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill, and Karun Nair at the start of the England series.”

Replacing icons like Rohit and Kohli in Test cricket is a monumental challenge, but Ponting is confident that India is well-prepared to navigate this transition.

“It’s always tough to fill the shoes of players who have contributed significantly to the game for so long. However, if any nation can adapt swiftly, it’s India, thanks to their abundance of young talent,” he emphasized.

“Having witnessed it firsthand over the past decade in the IPL, I’ve seen the rise of players like Jaiswal who have seamlessly transitioned into international cricket. While replacing the skill set is manageable, the absence of experience poses a significant challenge.

“However, even with a young captain like Shubman Gill, there will still be seasoned players like KL Rahul and Bumrah around him. I believe India is better equipped to handle this rebuilding phase than most other teams.”

Ponting also commented on the unexpected inclusion of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh in India’s squad for the England series — a choice that many consider risky. However, having collaborated with the 26-year-old at Punjab Kings in the IPL, Ponting believes Arshdeep’s skill set and his familiarity with English conditions could be pivotal.

“I would definitely have him in the Test team at the outset of the England series,” Ponting asserted. “He’s exceptionally skilled, has played County cricket, and is familiar with the local conditions. The Dukes Ball will also work to his advantage in the UK. I think having a left-arm bowler could provide a valuable edge to the team, and if India overlooks this, it would surprise me.”

“As we know, in England, the ball tends to swing for 30, 40, or even 50 overs. Therefore, having someone with swing bowling capabilities and a left-arm angle should be a consideration for the Indian team during this tour.”

The tour of England, part of the ICC World Test Championship 2025–27 cycle, commences with the first Test at Headingley, Leeds on June 20.