Ricky Ponting defended BCCI’s decision, praising the Jasprit Bumrah call and saying Shubman Gill’s captaincy timing is perfect.
Ponting Backs BCCI’s Bold Choice of Shubman Gill Over Jasprit Bumrah as Test Captain
The BCCI’s selection committee stirred debate by naming Shubman Gill captain ahead of the experienced Jasprit Bumrah, who had previously led India in two Tests during the Australia tour. Many experts questioned the move, but former Australia captain Ricky Ponting defended the decision, calling it “absolutely spot on” and praising the timing of Gill’s appointment.
Bumrah was a strong contender, having captained India three times and led the side to a notable win in Perth during Rohit Sharma’s absence. However, a back injury sustained during the Sydney Test, which sidelined him for the Champions Trophy, raised concerns among selectors and weakened his chances of securing the Test captaincy.
On the ICC Review, Ponting emphasized that India needed a captain who could consistently lead the team without frequent injury absences. He urged the selectors to back Gill fully and allow him a long run at the helm.
Ponting Supports Shubman Gill’s Test Captaincy Amid Bumrah Concerns
“Bumrah’s injuries have held him back over the last couple of years, and you don’t want that with a captain,” Ponting said. “You can’t have a captain missing games here and there. So, I think it’s the right decision. Now that they’ve made it, they have to stick with it and give him a proper run for a long period.”
“Looking at how he’s managed the GT team this IPL, leadership suits him well,” Ponting added. “And for me, if you’re a batter and captain, you must be scoring runs. Shubman is doing that in the IPL, and I think the timing is perfect. We’ll have a strong captain who will also make plenty of Test runs going forward.”
