Ponting backs Suryakumar Yadav to rediscover form ahead of T20 World Cup, lauds India’s squad depth

Former Australia World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting has urged out-of-form India T20 captain Suryakumar Yadav to trust his instincts and back his natural attacking game as India prepare for the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026, starting on February 7.

Yadav has endured a lean run with the bat, managing just 218 runs across 19 innings in 2025 at a strike rate of 123.16—well below the standards he has set in the shortest format. Ponting admitted that Yadav’s recent struggles have come as a surprise.

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“That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. 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,” Ponting said.

Ponting explained that Yadav’s best cricket has always come when he allows himself some time at the crease before shifting gears.

“He’s an interesting one because when I’ve seen him play his best, he’s taken six or eight or 10 balls to get going and then just lets it all go,” Ponting said.

Despite the downturn in form, Ponting remains confident that Yadav can rediscover the fearless approach that has defined his success. “He plays all of his shots and backs himself, a bit like Travis Head, where it almost looks like they don’t ever fear getting out,” Ponting noted.

“That’s what I’d say to him. 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—go and prove it to everybody once again,” he added.

Ponting also welcomed India’s decision to appoint Axar Patel as vice-captain for the tournament, highlighting the all-rounder’s growing influence in the T20 setup.

“I mean, actually, Patel’s been their go-to man, really, hasn’t he?” Ponting said.

“In 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.”

One of the major talking points following the squad announcement was the omission of India’s Test and ODI captain Shubman Gill. Gill has struggled since his return to the T20I side in September, scoring 291 runs in 15 innings, with a highest score of 47. Ponting admitted the decision caught him off guard.

“Yeah, I couldn’t believe that,” Ponting said while speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.

“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 added.

While surprised, Ponting felt the call underlined the remarkable depth in Indian cricket.

“I mean, one, I’m surprised, but two, it just shows the depth of Indian cricket,” Ponting stated.

“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.