Legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting has fully backed India's new Test captain, Shubman Gill's appointment for the prestigious role, calling it a smart and very bold move. Gill will succeed Rohit Sharma as the Test captain, with his first assignment being the five-match Test series against England, starting on June 20.
The Gujarat Titans (GT) skipper pipped the more popular candidates like Jasprit Bumrah, KL Rahul, and Rishabh Pant for the most coveted role. Gill does not have captaincy experience with regard to coaching the first-class team Punjab. However, he has shown enough promise, composure, and calmness while leading the Titans for the past two IPL seasons.
Speaking to ICC Review, the PBKS head coach said, “I think it’s the right move. A lot of pundits may have expected Jasprit Bumrah to be named captain, but considering his injury history, it’s not a practical choice. You need a captain, who’s regularly available, and Gill fits that bill perfectly.”
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Ricky Ponting mighty impressed with Shubman Gill's captaincy skills for the Titans
The former Australia captain, who has seen Shubman Gill from close quarters as captain in IPL, is mighty impressed with his leadership skills while leading GT. Ponting is confident that the 25-year-old will do the job well while leading the Test side.
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“Leadership suits him. He carries himself well, and most importantly, he scores runs, a crucial quality for any captain. I believe the timing is right, and Gill can become a great Test captain,” Ponting added.
Finally, the PBKS coach also revealed Gill's batting position as captain. The legendary cricketer feels he should bat number four - a position Virat Kohli played for India.
“I think Sudharsan and Jaiswal will open. Sudharsan looks classy and technically sound. At No. 3, they might opt for someone with more experience like KL Rahul or Karun Nair. That would allow Shubman to slot in at No. 4, easing the pressure on him as a young captain.”
