In a significant leadership shift for Indian Test cricket, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has endorsed the decision to appoint Shubman Gill as the new Test captain over experienced pacer Jasprit Bumrah. Ponting, speaking on The ICC Review, expressed confidence in the move, citing Bumrah’s recurring injury issues as a major factor.
“I believe it’s the right call,” Ponting said. “There’s been a lot of debate around this, with many wondering why Bumrah wasn’t chosen. But when you consider his fitness record, it becomes clear. You can’t have a captain who might miss matches regularly due to injuries.”
India is entering a new era in Test cricket, with the retirements of veterans Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Adding to the transition, senior bowler Mohammed Shami has been ruled out of the upcoming England tour owing to fitness issues.
Ponting emphasized the need for consistency in leadership going forward. “Now that the decision has been made, they need to back Gill and give him enough time to settle into the role,” he added.
The appointment of Gill marks a generational shift in Indian cricket, placing the responsibility of leadership on younger shoulders as the team prepares for life after its senior stalwarts.