Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has offered crucial advice to India's struggling T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav, urging him to shift his mindset ahead of the upcoming ICC T20 World Cup. Ponting's comments come amid a prolonged lean patch for the world's former top-ranked batter, whose form has become a significant concern for the defending champions.
Ponting's Surprise at Suryakumar's Slump
Ricky Ponting expressed his astonishment at Suryakumar Yadav's dramatic loss of form over the last year and a half. Speaking on the ICC Review, the former Australian captain highlighted the stark contrast between the Indian skipper's current struggles and his previous dominance in the shortest format.
"That's as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form," Ponting stated. "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." The statistics underscore the concern. In 2025, Suryakumar managed only 218 runs in 21 matches (19 innings), averaging a paltry 13.62 with a strike rate of 123.16.
The Mental Reset: 'Think About Scoring Runs'
Ponting's advice for the Indian captain is centered on a mental reset. He recalled Suryakumar's best innings, where he would take time to settle before unleashing his full array of shots, playing without fear of dismissal. Drawing a parallel with Australia's Travis Head, Ponting emphasized the importance of a fearless approach.
"That's what I'd say to him," Ponting advised. "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." This counsel arrives with the T20 World Cup, starting on February 7, 2026, just a month away.
Ponting on Squad Selection: Gill's Omission & Axar's Role
The two-time World Cup-winning captain also shared his disbelief at the exclusion of opener Shubman Gill from India's final squad. Gill, who was the team's vice-captain until the penultimate series before the tournament, was left out despite his Test heroics in England.
"Yeah, I couldn't believe that," Ponting admitted. "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 identified all-rounder Axar Patel, named India's vice-captain for the World Cup, as the team's potential 'go-to man'. He praised Patel's versatility, noting his recent promotions up the batting order and his reliable left-arm spin. "He's been their pinch hitter at different times... and he's obviously ever consistent with his left-arm off spin as well," Ponting added.
As India prepares to defend its T20 World title in the 20-team event, all eyes will be on captain Suryakumar Yadav to see if he can implement Ponting's advice and rediscover the devastating form that once made him the most feared T20 batter on the planet.
