Ricky Ponting has been among the best leaders in historical past of cricket. The trendy right-hander was on the helm of some of the dominant groups to have ever performed the sport, successful every thing that was on supply. So, when Ponting speaks about captaincy most individuals sit up and pay attention. In an exclusive with icc-cricket.com, the previous Australian skipper spoke about Virat Kohli’s time as India captain and the affect he had on Indian cricket as a pacesetter. The Australian additionally expressed his shock over Virat Kohli’s sudden choice to step down as Check captain following the sequence defeat in South Africa.
Ponting stated that he was “actually shocked” by Kohli’s choice to stroll away from Check captaincy, given the dialog he had with the Indian star throughout first a part of IPL 2021 — earlier than it was postponed.
“Sure, it did really (shock me),” Ponting was quoted as saying on icc-cricket.com.
“In all probability the principle cause why is I had a chat and good catch-up with Virat through the first a part of the IPL (2021) earlier than it acquired postponed.
“He was speaking then about stepping away (from captaincy) from white-ball cricket and the way passionate he was to proceed on to be Check match captain. He simply liked and cherished that job and that publish a lot. Clearly, the Indian Check crew had achieved rather a lot beneath his management. After I heard it, I used to be actually, actually shocked.”
“I used to be shocked, however then I began fascinated by different issues, even my very own time as captain. I’ve gone on document and stated that I most likely assume I performed a few years longer than I ought to have in hindsight. I feel I may need been captain for a few years longer than I ought to have,” the previous Aussie skipper added.
The Australian additionally stated that India “most likely” is essentially the most tough crew to captain because of the recognition and the next of the game within the nation.
“So I feel there’s probably a shelf-life for worldwide cricket captains and even coaches. Virat’s been there for near seven years now. If there is a nation on the earth that is essentially the most tough to captain, it is most likely India due to simply how widespread the sport is and the way a lot each single Indian likes to see the fortunes of the Indian cricket crew, whether or not they’re good or dangerous. You weigh all these issues up.”
With 40 wins in 68 Check matches, Virat Kohli was India’s most profitable captain within the longest format, additionally main the crew to the highest of the ICC rankings, a spot which the crew held for 42 consecutive months between October 2016 to March 2020.
Ponting was all reward for Kohli and his achievements as captain of the Indian crew.
“If you concentrate on India earlier than Virat, it was about successful a number of video games at residence and never successful fairly as many abroad. The factor that improved essentially the most was India successful a couple of extra video games abroad, and that is one thing that he and all the Indian cricket need to be actually happy with.
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“The opposite factor is there was actually was an actual focus positioned on Check cricket by the BCCI when Virat took over, and I feel a number of it has come from him as effectively – to focus extra on Check cricket and successful extra video games residence and away,” stated the Australian.
“Given his Check document as captain, he can stroll away from the position very, very happy with what he has achieved.”
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