Ricky Ponting Endorses Shubman Gill as India's New Test Captain

BCCI's Decision Sparks Debate

The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) has appointed Shubman Gill as the captain for the Test team, a move that has ignited considerable discussion. Previously, Jasprit Bumrah had captained India in the last three Test matches, including two during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, where he led the team to a notable victory in Perth. However, a back injury sustained during the Sydney Test sidelined him, preventing his participation in the Champions Trophy.

Support from Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian cricketer, has voiced his support for the BCCI's choice to overlook Bumrah for the Test captaincy. During an ICC review, Ponting emphasized the necessity of having a full-time captain and commended Gill's leadership skills demonstrated in IPL 2025. He believes that this transition is timely for the Indian team.

Ponting's Perspective on Leadership

"I genuinely believe this is the right decision. Many pundits are questioning why Bumrah was not retained as captain, but the reasoning is straightforward," Ponting stated. He pointed out that Bumrah's recurring injuries have hindered his performance over the past couple of years, making him an unreliable choice for captaincy. "A captain must be consistently available, and I think this decision should be upheld, allowing Gill a fair chance to prove himself over time," he added.

Gill's Performance and Future Prospects

Reflecting on Gill's management of the Gujarat Titans in the IPL, Ponting remarked, "His leadership qualities are evident. Moreover, a captain who is also a batsman must contribute runs, and Shubman is excelling in that area during the IPL. The timing for this leadership change is ideal, and I anticipate he will be a successful captain, contributing significantly to Test runs in the future."