ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has urged India’s out-of-form T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav to trust his instincts. And backs himself as he prepares to lead the team into the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026. Despite being one of the most feared batters in the format over the past few years, Yadav has endured a difficult period.
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His recent numbers have fallen well below the standards he has set for himself. In 2025, Yadav has managed only 218 runs from 19 innings, a return that highlights his struggles for consistency and confidence. Even more uncharacteristic has been his strike rate of 123.16, far removed from the explosive scoring that once made him India’s most dangerous T20 weapon.
For a player known for dismantling bowling attacks with innovation and flair. The dip in form has raised eyebrows across the cricketing world. Ponting admitted that Yadav’s struggles came as a surprise, given his long track record of success. Speaking about the Indian skipper’s recent performances.
The former Australian captain said Yadav had been one of India’s most reliable contributors in T20 cricket for a long time. And simply seemed unable to find his rhythm lately. However, Ponting stressed that form can be temporary, even for the very best players.
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T20 World Cup: Ponting Urges Yadav to Play Fearless Cricket
What stands out to Ponting is the way Yadav looks at his best when he allows himself time to settle before unleashing his full range of shots. According to him, Yadav often takes a handful of balls to get going, after which he becomes almost unstoppable.
Ponting believes that this natural buildup is part of Yadav’s game and should not be overthought, especially during a lean run. Despite the recent struggles, Ponting has no doubts about Yadav’s ability to bounce back. He pointed out that at his peak, Yadav plays with complete freedom, attempting shots all around the ground and trusting his instincts.
Ponting compared him to Australia’s Travis Head, noting that both players appear fearless and unburdened by the thought of getting out. That mindset, he believes, is key to Yadav’s success. Ponting’s advice to the Indian captain was simple and direct: focus on scoring runs, not on avoiding dismissal.
He encouraged Yadav to trust his game, reminding him that he has already proven himself to be among the best T20 batters in the world. With the World Cup approaching, Ponting feels this is the perfect time for Yadav to rediscover his confidence and show his quality once again on the biggest stage.
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T20 World Cup Final: Ponting Reacts to Shock Exclusion of Shubman Gill
Another major talking point from India’s World Cup squad announcement was the omission of Shubman Gill, the team’s Test and ODI captain. Gill’s exclusion raised plenty of questions, especially given his stature and reputation. Since returning to India’s T20I setup in September, Gill has struggled to make a significant impact.
Scoring 291 runs in 15 innings with a highest score of 47. Gill has found it difficult to lock down the opening position, with intense competition for spots at the top of the order. Ultimately, the selectors decided to leave him out of the squad, a decision that surprised Ponting.
Speaking on The ICC Review with Sanjana Ganesan, Ponting admitted he could hardly believe Gill had been left out. While acknowledging Gill’s recent struggles in white-ball cricket. Ponting recalled watching him bat superbly during the Test series against England in the UK.
He described it as some of the best batting he had ever seen. Still, Ponting accepted that India’s incredible depth played a major role in the decision. According to him, the fact that a player of Gill’s quality can miss out on a World Cup squad highlights just how strong Indian cricket currently is. Ponting also spoke highly of Axar Patel, who has been named India’s new vice-captain.
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