Ricky Ponting bats for captain Shubman Gill to bat at No.4 spot for India in upcoming England Test tour
With Virat Kohli's retirement, the No.4 spot in the Indian Test team has a lot of speculations going around it on who could take the place of the star India batter. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels that captain Shubman Gill will be the ideal candidate for the role due to the added responsibility of captaincy in the upcoming England tour.
'…the reason I did that was if they go with (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, and if Sai Sudarshan is the other opener, they need someone a bit more experienced at number three. So that could be either, KL at three, or that could be a Karun Nair at three and Shubman at four….once you grow into it, then you can move yourself back up to that number three spot,' Ponting said.
Last month, Gill, who played his first Test for India just five years ago, was selected as the candidate to lead the team into a new era after he was named the captain for the five-match series in England, starting June 20.
In what ultimately proved to be a formality, Gill was named as Rohit Sharma's successor following a meeting of the selection committee at the cricket board headquarters at Wankhede Stadium. Gill will be India's 37th Test captain. His deputy for the England tour will be Rishabh Pant.
Rohit announced his retirement from red-ball cricket last month. Weeks later, former captain Kohli, too, hung his whites. Both veterans have chosen to continue playing the 50-over format.
Meanwhile, Ponting also said that it was the right time for Sai Sudharsan to make his debut in the Test team and open with Yashasvi Jaiswal against England.
'I think the time's right for Sudarshan to come into the side, to be honest. There's a bit of a regeneration that's going to happen around this Indian team now, obviously with Rohit and Virat not there,' he said.
'Every team goes through that…seems to me like Sudarshan's ready. Lots of first class runs, his IPL form this year has been probably better than anybody else,' he pointed out about the Orange Cap winner of the just-concluded season. Technically, seems fine. And, you know, KL down in the middle order somewhere probably just gives that bit more stability,' he added.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
Indian Men's Mixed Disability Cricket Team prepares for England tour; DCCI lauds Jay Shah's support
Jaipur (Rajasthan) [India], June 10 (ANI: General secretary of the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), Ravikant Chauhan, has extended gratitude to ICC Chairman Jay Shah for his support and commitment towards the growth of disability cricket in India. The Indian Men's Mixed Disability Cricket Team has commenced its preparatory training camp in Jaipur ahead of their seven-match T20I series against England, which begins on June 21. On the sidelines of the training camp, DCCI secretary thanked Jay Shah and the BCCI for their continued support, from providing official merchandise to uplifting India's Mixed Disability Team. According to a release, Chauhan said disability cricket had little support for several decades but as soon as Jay Shah became BCCI secretary, 'he listened to us, saw our hard work and helped us'. 'Now Indian team is ready to play at Lord's,' he said. 'BCCI is taking care of all the things as India gets ready to play against England in the Mixed Disability Cricket series. We might also get big support from ICC in the future and I would like to thank Jay Shah ji for his continued support,' he added. As part of their continued support, the BCCI has also provided Kookaburra balls for the team's training and match preparation. Indian captain Ravindra Gopinath Sante said, 'Wearing the Indian jersey and preparing to play at historic venues like Lord's is a dream come true. We are determined to give our best and make the country proud.' Indian vice captain Virender Singh said, 'Thanks to the efforts of DCCI and the support from BCCI, we feel seen, valued, and ready to prove ourselves on the world stage.' As part of the training camp in Jaipur, the players are engaging in intensive batting and bowling drills in the nets, honing their techniques and match awareness. Coaches, including Head Coach Rohit Jhalani, is guiding the players to help them prepare for the challenges, the release said. Organised by the Differently Abled Cricket Council of India (DCCI), the camp is being held at the Jaipuria Cricket Academy from June 8 to 13. All selected players have arrived in Jaipur and are undergoing intensive sessions focused on physical fitness, match preparedness, and team synergy under the guidance of experienced coaches. Speaking on the sidelines of the training camp, head coach Rohit Jhalani said, 'This training camp is crucial for our preparations. The players are focused, determined, and ready to represent India against England in the series.' The Mixed Disability Vitality T20I series will begin on June 21, 2025, in Taunton at 6:30 pm, followed by the second T20I on June 23 in Wormsley at 5 pm. The series concludes with the seventh T20I on July 3 at 6:30 pm in Bristol. Full squad Ravindra Gopinath Sante (Captain) (PD), Virender Singh (Vice-Captain) (Deaf), Radhika Prasad (PD), Rajesh Irappa Kannur (PD), Yogendra Singh (Wicket-Keeper), Narendra Mangore (PD), Vikrant Ravindra Keni (PD), Sai Akash (Deaf), Umar Ashraf (Deaf), Sanju Sharma (Deaf), Abhishek Singh (Deaf), Vivek Kumar (Deaf), Vikas Ganeshkumar (ID), Praveen Nailwal (ID), Rishabh Jain (ID), Tarun (ID), Majid Magray (PD) (Reserve), Kuldeep Singh (Deaf) (Reserve), Krishna Gowda (Deaf) (Reserve), Jithendra Nagaraju (PD) (Reserve). (ANI)
India Gazette
an hour ago
- India Gazette
"He's a proven match-winner": Harbhajan Singh hails Australia captain Pat Cummins ahead of WTC final
New Delhi [India] June 10 (ANI): Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh believes that Australia skipper Pat Cummins is an exceptional captain because he unites the team, is a match-winner, and commands respect in the dressing room, which leads to more victories. Pat Cummins led Australia to their sixth ODI World Cup title after beating hosts India in the final of the 2023 World Cup in Ahmedabad and to their maiden WTC title in the same year. He is also leading Aussies to their second WTC Final scheduled on June 11 against South Africa. 'Cummins is one of those leaders who brings everyone together. More importantly, he's a proven match-winner with great command in the dressing room. When your team respects and rallies behind you, you win more matches. That's what makes him a very special captain for Australia,' JioStar expert Harbhajan Singh said while speaking on JioHotstar and Star Sports network. Harbhajan also believed Australia is well-prepared for the WTC final fixture due to their experience in England, understanding of the conditions, and their ability to handle pressure. 'Australia will come prepared. They've played a lot of cricket in England--Ashes, the last WTC Final--and that experience will count. They understand these conditions better than South Africa. Plus, they're a champion side. The difference lies in how you handle pressure during big matches, and Aussies are masters at that. That's why they've won more trophies than anyone else,' he added. Australia hasn't lost a Test series in the past two years, winning away in New Zealand and Sri Lanka while retaining the Ashes in England in 2023. They also defeated Pakistan and India at home, along with a draw against the West Indies, to secure a spot in the WTC decider against the Proteas. Australia playing 11 for WTC final: 1. Usman Khawaja, 2. Marnus Labuschagne, 3. Cameron Green, 4. Steve Smith, 5. Travis Head, 6. Beau Webster, 7. Alex Carey (wk), 8. Pat Cummins (c), 9. Mitchell Starc, 10. Nathan Lyon, 11. Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)
The Hindu
an hour ago
- The Hindu
Indian football continues to slide as team suffers defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong
There was no stopping Indian football's decline as the senior men's team, lacking in spunk, finishing skill and the will to fight, suffered a calamitous 0-1 defeat to lower-ranked Hong Kong in a crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier match here on Tuesday. Hosts Hong Kong emerged victorious after an injury-time goal by Stefan Pereira. The referee awarded Hong Kong the penalty after India custodian Vishal Kaith came out of the goalline and tried to punch the ball to safety, only to end up hitting Michael Udebuluzor and injuring the player. Pereira (90+4) stepped up to take the spot kick and shot the ball to the right of Kaith, who was also shown a yellow card for his injury-time foul. The latest reverse jeopardised India's prospects of reaching the next Asian Cup in Saudi Arabia, and the team is also set to drop to 133 on the FIFA rankings with Hong Kong gaining points and climbing up in the pecking order. It is a continuation of a series of disappointing results that the team has endured in recent years during which activities off the field grabbed more headlines than on-field performances, including the unceremonious exit of previous head coach Igor Stimac after an ugly dispute with his employers All India Football Federation (AIFF). Such has been the team's woes that head coach Manolo Marquez was forced to convince Sunil Chhetri to come out of retirement a year after he called it quits in international football. However, even his comeback has not been able to lift the team out of the abyss it has found itself in recent times. The future of Manolo, who succeeded Stimac while also holding on to his job as ISL side FC Goa's coach, is also uncertain with the national team. There is speculation that Manolo might request the AIFF to relieve him from his job. But sources in the AIFF said that he cannot do so unilaterally as he was appointed for a two year tenure. 'He can do so only after mutual agreement, that the AIFF gives him permission to part ways,' an AIFF source told PTI. 'We have not got any request in writing from Manolo that he wants to leave from the job. We can apply our mind only after he informs us what he wants,' the source added. As his wards went about fluffing the two-three clear chances that came their way, Manolo was seen expressing his frustration on the touchline. Earlier in the day, Manolo kept out veteran striker Chhetri from the starting XI. A sea of red packed the stands at the newly built Kai Tak Stadium but despite the strong home support, India did pretty well to create a few chances in the first half, even though Hong Kong enjoyed more possession. But, as has been the trend with them in recent times, the lack of finishing has again let the Blue Tigers down in the first 45 minutes. Among the opportunities that came their way before the half time break, the Indians came closest in the 35th minute but Ashique Kuruniyan shot the ball wide from a close range after Liston Colaco ran down the left to provide him a nice cross. Meanwhile, after having received medical attention after getting injured, Colaco unleashed a powerful long-range shot but it went straight into the keeper's gloves. Hong Kong also grew in confidence as the game approached the half time. The home team could have taken the lead from a free-kick had it not been for a timely clearance by Asish Rai from goal-mouth after custodian Vishal Kaith was beaten. Both India and Hong Kong have had their moments but neither side could convert in a tightly contested first half of this crucial 2027 AFC Asian Cup Qualifier. Kuruniyan, who has otherwise performed his job admirably on the flanks, looked to have got another chance to break the deadlock some minutes into the second half, but could not. Soon after, coach Marquez brought on India's all-time highest goal-scorer Chhetri alongside Naorem Singh in place of Kuruniyan and Brandon Fernandes. India created chances in the second half too, including in the 81st minute when Lallianzuala Chhangte found Chhetri with a brilliant cutback inside the Hong Kong box, but the veteran striker was not able to connect it well. The result is a setback for India who came into the game after a goal-less draw against Bangladesh in their first Asian Cup qualifying match, at home in March. India have one point from two games and are last in the group, and only one team from the pool of four will qualify for the final. India will now need to win their remaining four matches, but given their inability to score, it looks improbable.
