Cricket

Jasprit Bumrah: The Unstoppable Multi-Format Bowling ForceFormer Australian captain Ricky Ponting has hailed Indian pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah as the best multi-format bowler in world cricket over the past five to six years. Despite concerns about his longevity, Bumrah has returned from injuries stronger than ever, impressing Ponting and the cricketing fraternity."He's probably been the best multi-format bowler there's been in world cricket for the last five or six years," Ponting said on the ICC review. "There might have been some fears a couple of years ago when the injuries came in and 'would he come back the same?', but I think he's actually come back better."Ponting emphasized the impact Bumrah has on opposition batsmen, who often describe him as a "nightmare" due to his unpredictable bowling style. "You never know what's going to happen. One's going to swing, one's going to seam, he's going to bowl an in-swinger, he's going to bowl an out-swinger," Ponting explained.Bumrah played a pivotal role in India's triumph in the T20 World Cup, taking 15 wickets. Ponting acknowledged Bumrah's exceptional performance during the tournament, noting that his pace and accuracy remain unchanged. "The skillset is all the same. He's getting better year on year. He would rank right up there," Ponting said.Ponting compared Bumrah to legendary bowlers like Glenn McGrath and James Anderson, highlighting their longevity and exceptional skills. "When you've got that skillset and the consistency that he has, then you're going to be a great player. Look at (Glenn) McGrath, look at (James) Anderson, these guys, their longevity and their skills being able to hold up for such a long period of time is what separates them from the rest," Ponting added.Bumrah's ability to adapt to different formats and conditions sets him apart from other bowlers. He has consistently performed at the highest level in Tests, ODIs, and T20Is, showcasing his versatility and adaptability.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes England's Joe Root has the potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar's record of Test runs, provided he maintains his current form and hunger for the next four years.Root recently crossed the 12,000-run mark during the Edgbaston Test against the West Indies, becoming the seventh batter to achieve this milestone in Test cricket. He has accumulated 12,027 runs in 143 Tests, with an average of 50.11, including 32 centuries and 63 fifties.Ponting believes that Root's age and current form make him a strong contender to break Tendulkar's record. "He (Root) could potentially do that. He is 33 years of age…(more than) 3000 runs behind," Ponting told The ICC Review."It depends how many Test matches they play, but if they're playing 10 to 14 Test matches a year and if you're scoring 800 to 1,000 runs a year, then that sort of says he's only three or four years off getting there. So that'll take him to 37 (years of age)," said the legendary Australian.Ponting emphasized that Root's hunger for runs and his ability to convert half-centuries into big scores will be crucial in his pursuit of the record. "If his hunger's still there, then there's every chance that he could do it. He is someone that in the last couple of years has got better and better," Ponting said."There's always talk around batters reaching their prime in their early 30s and he's certainly done that. It's been his conversion rates being the big thing," he said.Ponting noted that Root has overcome his previous struggles to convert half-centuries into big scores. "Four or five years ago, he was making a lot of 50s and struggling to go on and make hundreds and he's gone the other way recently," Ponting said."Almost every time he gets to 50 now, he goes on and makes a big hundred. So that's been the real turnaround for him," he added.If Root continues to perform at his current level, he could potentially surpass Tendulkar's record of 15,921 Test runs. However, it will require him to maintain his hunger for runs and continue to convert his half-centuries into big scores.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in Jason Gillespie's ability to succeed as the red-ball coach of the Pakistan men's team. Gillespie, a former Australian pacer, was appointed to the role in April 2024.Ponting, who played alongside Gillespie for Australia, praised his former teammate's analytical mind and quiet demeanor. He compared Gillespie to current Indian team head coach Gautam Gambhir, noting their successful coaching records."Jason Gillespie is a bit like Gambhir. Pretty much everywhere he has been, his coaching record has been very very good," Ponting said. "He will have some challenges, I got no doubt about it. But he is a deep thinker and as I said, a quiet person that goes about it in his own way."Gillespie has a wealth of coaching experience, having led teams in the Indian Premier League (IPL), Big Bash League (BBL), and various English counties. He will take charge of Pakistan's ICC World Test Championship fixtures against Bangladesh, England, and South Africa in the 2024-25 season.Pakistan's Test series against Bangladesh begins on August 21 in Rawalpindi. Saud Shakeel has been named as the new Pakistan Test vice-captain ahead of the series. The team is currently ranked fifth in the ICC World Test Championship standings and will be looking to improve their position with positive results against Bangladesh.

Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has predicted a 3-1 victory for his home team in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India. Ponting believes that Australia has a "point to prove" after losing their previous two home Test series to India.The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a prestigious Test series between Australia and India, will be played later this year. Australia has not defeated India in a Test series since 2014-15, and Ponting believes that the hosts are eager to break that streak."It's going to be a competitive series and, as I said, I think Australia's got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what's happened the last two series here," Ponting said on the ICC Review.Ponting also discussed the possibility of Steven Smith continuing to open the batting for Australia. Smith has been opening in recent Tests, but his form has been inconsistent. Ponting believes that Smith should only open if he is comfortable with the role."Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if Smith's the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side," Ponting said."So I'll rephrase it, not whether Smith's the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it's the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn't think it's the right spot then they'll make a change and get someone else back up there."Ponting's prediction of a 3-1 victory for Australia is based on the team's strong home record and the return of key players like Cameron Green. However, India will be a formidable opponent, and the series is likely to be closely contested.

Cricket's inclusion in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics has sparked excitement among cricket enthusiasts worldwide. Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting believes this opportunity will significantly expand the sport's reach and popularity.Ponting, a three-time ODI World Cup winner, recently coached the Washington Freedom to this year's Major League Cricket title, giving him valuable insight into how cricket is perceived in the USA. He emphasized that the Olympic Games provide a unique platform to expose cricket to a vast new audience."The Olympic Games being viewed by so many people all around the world, it just opens up completely different audiences to our game that's seemingly growing on a daily basis anyway," said Ponting.Ponting also pointed out the potential for cricket to tap into baseball's fanbase in the USA. "The way that I sort of try and compare the two is we've all been to games of Major League Baseball. Huge events, the bat and ball game that Americans are growing up with and that game goes for four hours and through the history of the game, there's less than one home run scored in every game," he said."So when you compare baseball to what the excitement and entertainment package that T20 cricket brings, then it should be a reasonably easy sell to the young kids in the US."Ponting expressed his excitement about the possibility of serving as either a mentor or coach for the Australian team at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. "It'd be a pretty nice job, I reckon, to be a mentor around a cricket team in the Olympic Games, to hang out," he said.The inclusion of cricket in the Olympics is a testament to the sport's growing global appeal. It provides an opportunity for cricket to reach new heights and inspire future generations of players.

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has ruled out the possibility of becoming England's next men's white-ball coach, citing time constraints and a desire to return to coaching in the Indian Premier League (IPL).Ponting's decision comes after Matthew Mott's departure as England's white-ball coach, leaving a vacancy for a prominent figure in the cricketing world. Despite his seven-year stint with the Delhi Capitals ending this year, Ponting is not yet ready to commit to full-time coaching at the international level."International jobs for me right now are not really where my life is at," Ponting said in an interview with The ICC Review show. "I've got other commitments, with my TV work and things that I do, and I'm trying to balance that out with having a decent amount of home time."Ponting, who also worked as Mumbai Indians head coach, recently led the Washington Freedom to victory in the second season of the Major League Cricket (MLC). He has another year on his contract with the team in the USA and is hopeful of securing an IPL coaching contract ahead of the 2025 season."I'd love to coach again in the IPL," Ponting said. "I've had a great time every year that I've been involved, whether that was as a player or as a head coach."Ponting also revealed that the Delhi Capitals will likely appoint an Indian coach as their next head coach. "They made it pretty clear that they wanted to head in a different direction with someone that could give them a bit more time and availability through the off-season," he said.Despite his decision to decline the England coaching role, Ponting remains open to other coaching opportunities in the future. "There could be a few opportunities for me popping up in the next couple of months," he said. "I'd love to be back coaching in the IPL again next season."

Ricky Ponting, the former head coach of the Delhi Capitals, has shed light on his decision to move on from Prithvi Shaw, citing the latter's inability to meet team expectations. Shaw, once a promising talent in Indian cricket, has struggled to maintain his form, leading to his omission from the Delhi Capitals' playing eleven during the IPL 2024 season.Ponting expressed his disappointment in Shaw's situation, acknowledging his exceptional skills and potential. However, he emphasized that despite multiple discussions and efforts to improve Shaw's cricketing abilities, the player had not met the team's expectations. Ponting stated, "When you feel like you're not making players better and they're not doing what you need for the team, then you've got to look for other players that can do it for you."Ponting's comments highlight the challenges faced by coaches in developing players and the limitations of their influence. He acknowledged that Shaw is still a young and talented player, expressing hope that he will eventually realize his potential.As the Delhi Capitals prepare for the IPL 2025 season, speculation about Shaw's future with the team has arisen. It remains uncertain whether he will be retained, given the strategic planning underway ahead of the mega auction.

Delhi Capitals Eye Former World Cup Winners for Coaching StaffAfter parting ways with Ricky Ponting, the Delhi Capitals (DC) are reportedly seeking to bolster their coaching and support staff with two former World Cup winners. The franchise is aiming to revamp its team ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction.Sources close to DC have indicated that Director of Cricket Sourav Ganguly is unlikely to assume the coaching role. Instead, the team is searching for an individual who actively follows the cricket circuit, similar to Gautam Gambhir."Ganguly has numerous responsibilities as Director of Cricket. The team requires a hands-on coach who closely monitors the circuit, like Gautam Gambhir," said an anonymous source to News 18. "His success as a mentor is not surprising."DC is determined to avoid a stop-gap arrangement for the head coach position, especially after the mega auction that will initiate a new cycle. A meeting between DC's higher-ups is scheduled after the conclusion of the ongoing Major League Cricket season in the USA.Despite reaching the IPL final in 2020, the Capitals have struggled to qualify for the playoffs since then. They finished sixth among 10 teams in IPL 2024.However, three DC players played key roles in India's victorious T20 World Cup 2024 campaign: Rishabh Pant, Kuldeep Yadav, and Axar Patel. All three are likely to be retained by DC ahead of the mega auction, along with Australian star Jake Fraser-McGurk.

Ricky Ponting's seven-year tenure as head coach of the Delhi Capitals (DC) has come to an end, as the franchise looks to revamp its coaching staff ahead of the upcoming IPL 2025 mega auction.Ponting joined DC in 2018, when the team was known as the Delhi Daredevils. Under his guidance, the team experienced a rollercoaster of results. In his first season, DC finished at the bottom of the league standings. However, they bounced back in 2019, qualifying for the playoffs for the first time under Ponting's leadership.DC continued their playoff streak in 2020 and 2021, reaching the finals in 2020. However, they fell short of the ultimate prize, losing to the Mumbai Indians. In the last three seasons, DC failed to qualify for the playoffs, finishing sixth in 2024 with a 7-7 record.Sources close to the franchise indicate that the owners were not satisfied with the team's recent performances and decided to part ways with Ponting. The decision was made after careful consideration and a desire to bring in a fresh perspective.Ponting's departure marks the end of an era for DC. He was a respected figure within the team and played a significant role in their development. However, the franchise believes that a change in leadership is necessary to achieve their long-term goals.DC is expected to announce Ponting's replacement in the coming weeks. The new head coach will have the task of rebuilding the team and guiding them to success in the upcoming IPL seasons.