As India enters a new chapter in Test cricket following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has identified Jasprit Bumrah as a crucial figure in guiding the team through this transition.
With a five-match Test series against England beginning on June 20, all eyes are now on the young leadership of Shubman Gill and the steady presence of experienced players like Bumrah.
Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting acknowledged the challenge of replacing two stalwarts of Indian cricket but also expressed confidence in India’s depth and talent.
“It’s always very difficult to replace players like that who have been around for so long and have played so much Test cricket. But if any country can do it quickly, it’s India because of the young talent they have,” he said.
“They will still have some experienced players like KL Rahul and Bumrah around.” – Ponting
Ponting also stressed that while talent may be replaceable, experience brings a unique value—one that players like Bumrah bring to the table.
“While replacing the skill is one aspect, which I believe India can do relatively easily, the experience is the key element that will be missing. Even with a young captain like Shubman Gill, they will still have some experienced players like KL Rahul and Bumrah around.”
Looking ahead, Ponting expressed his belief in India’s ability to manage the rebuilding process better than most teams, especially with senior figures like Bumrah leading the way.
“In a rebuilding phase, I think India can handle it better than most other teams,” he said, underlining that players like Bumrah will be central to India’s success in the coming years.
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