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Ponting Shocked by Gill's T20 WC Snub, Hails India's Incredible Depth

Ricky Ponting expressed disbelief at Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad, calling it a major surprise. The former Australian captain acknowledged Gill's recent dip in white-ball form but recalled his brilliant Test batting in England. Ponting stated that the omission ultimately highlights the extraordinary depth of talent in Indian cricket. He also praised new vice-captain Axar Patel's all-round consistency, which makes him a key player for India's title defense.

Key Points: Ricky Ponting surprised by Shubman Gill T20 World Cup omission

  • Gill's poor T20I form led to omission
  • Ponting surprised despite recent struggles
  • Axar Patel named new vice-captain
  • India's bench strength highlighted
  • Team aims for back-to-back T20 WC titles
2 min read

I'm surprised...it just shows the depth of Indian cricket: Shubman Gill's T20 World Cup snub surprises Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting expresses shock at Shubman Gill's T20 World Cup squad exclusion, citing it as proof of India's immense cricket depth and talent pool.

"I'm surprised, but... it just shows the depth of Indian cricket. - Ricky Ponting"

New Delhi, January 5

Shubman Gill's exclusion from India's T20 World Cup squad came as one of the major talking points after the team was announced. The Test and ODI captain was left out following a poor run since his return to the T20I side in September.

Gill has struggled to make a strong impression in the shortest format, scoring 291 runs in 15 innings, with 47 being his highest score during this period. With intense competition for the opening slot and several in-form players in contention, the selectors decided to move ahead without him.

"Yeah, I couldn't believe that," Ponting said on The ICC Review, as quoted from the official website of ICC.

"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 noted.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting admitted that Gill's omission surprised him. However, he highlighted India's strong bench strength, saying the depth in Indian cricket is such that even a player of Gill's quality can miss out on a major tournament.

"I mean, one, I'm surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket," Ponting added.

"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," he added.

Meanwhile, India has named Axar Patel as the new vice-captain after Gill's omission. Previously, Gill was the deputy of Suryakumar Yadav.

Ponting feels Axar's consistent performances with both bat and ball make him an important part of the side as India looks to achieve the rare feat of winning back-to-back T20 World Cups.

"I mean actually Patel's been their go-to man, really, hasn't he?" said Ponting, as quoted from the official website of ICC.

"The last few series he's been their pinch hitter at different times. They've batted him up the order at number three. 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," he noted.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

S
Shreya B
I feel so bad for Shubman! 😔 He's our future captain in other formats. One bad phase and he's out of the World Cup? The pressure on these young players is insane. Hope he comes back stronger.
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Aman W
Selectors have to be ruthless. Sentiment can't win you World Cups. His numbers in T20Is recently are just not good enough. Axar as VC is a smart move - he's been clutch and brings that all-round value.
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Priyanka N
Respectfully, I think this is a mistake. Gill has that big-match temperament. You don't drop a player of his caliber based on a 15-innings sample. What about faith? He could have been our X-factor.
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Karthik V
It's simple maths yaar. Only 15 spots. When Ponting himself is surprised, you know the competition is fierce. This is good for Indian cricket. No one's place is guaranteed.
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Emma D
Watching from Australia, the strength of Indian cricket is unbelievable. You have world-class players missing out on major tournaments. It's a luxury most other teams don't have. Gill will be back.

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