- By Vishal Pushkar
- Mon, 05 Jan 2026 10:34 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
T20 World Cup 2026: Indian T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav is currently undergoing a lean patch with the bat, with ordinary knocks in the last 18 months. Known for his ability to strike a long ball at will, Suryakumar's 'uncharacteristic' under-pressure performances have attracted a lot of criticism from fans and experts alike. However, Australian legend Ricky Ponting should not think about getting dismissed and keep his focus on scoring runs for his side.
Suryakumar's form has been a sign of concern as he has scored just 218 in 19 innings with a paltry run-rate of 13.62. Also, the strike rate of 123.16 is another form of concern for the 35-year-old.
Ponting, in his analysis at the ICC Review, stated that he was surprised at Suryakumar's slump in form.
“That's as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He's been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn't been able to find it of late."
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“He's an interesting one because when I've seen him play his best, he's taken six or eight or 10 balls to get going and then just lets it all go.”
“He plays all of his shots and backs himself and a bit like Travis Head where it almost looks like they don't ever fear getting out,” he said.
“That's what I'd say to him. I'd be saying, think about scoring runs, don't think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You're proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format and go and prove it to everybody once again,” he said.
Surprise At Shubman Gill's Exclusion: Ponting
The former Australian skipper also expressed his surprise at the exclusion of Shubman Gill, who was India's vice-captain until the penultimate series in build-up to the World Cup.
“Yeah, I couldn't believe that. I know his recent form hasn't been great in white-ball cricket. And the last time that I really saw much of him play was the Test series against England in the UK where he batted as well as I've ever seen anybody bat,” he said.
“I mean one, I'm surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket. If you can think that someone as good as Shubman Gill doesn't get picked in a World Cup squad, then it goes to show how many good players they do have,” Ponting added.
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Axar To Be India's Go-To Man, Feels Former Australian Captain
Ponting said Axar Patel, India's vice-captain for the World Cup, will be their go-to man in the 20-team event starting on February 7.
“I mean actually Patel's been their go-to man really hasn't he? The last few series he's been their pinch hitter at different times. They've batted him up the order at number three,” he said.
“When they've needed that left hand right hand combination he's been the man to go out and try and do it for them and he's obviously ever consistent with his left-arm off spin as well,” Ponting added.
Inputs from Agency