Star India batter Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to face the West Indies in the ongoing India tour. Gaikwad received his maiden Test call for this tour, and skipper Rohit Sharma has hinted at using bench strength in an upcoming game. Meanwhile, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has predicted a great future for the right-hander.
In an interaction with the Apex Cricket Council, Ponting said that Gaikwad might become an all-format player for India in the upcoming years. Ponting was also impressed with youngster Yashasvi Jaiswal, as he said that he is the future of the Indian team. “I mean, Yashasvi Jaiswal’s IPL was something special. He almost just flicked a switch and turned into a superstar overnight,” said Ponting.
“There are a lot of those young Indian guys that I can’t wait to see play Test cricket, and yet you look at their domestic records as well, and you can’t help but be impressed,” said Ponting. “I’m on record saying that I think Ruturaj Gaikwad’s the same as Jaiswal. I think he could be a very serious Test match player or all-format player in the next couple of years,” he added.
“I do feel a little bit sorry for Sarfaraz Khan”, says Ponting
Further speaking about other Indian youths, Ponting said that he feels sorry for Sarfaraz Khan. “The one I do feel a little bit sorry for is Sarfaraz Khan. The fact that he hasn’t gotten a look in a Test squad just yet considering he averages in the high 80s, I think, in first-class cricket, which is absolutely unheard of, but for some reason, they keep picking these other guys ahead of him,” said Ponting.
Notably, Ricky Ponting is the head coach of the Delhi Capitals, for which Sarfaraz plays in the Indian Premier League. Meanwhile, Ruturaj Gaikwad is set to lead the Indian team in the upcoming Asian Games. The Indian Cricket Board has announced the squad, which includes players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Verma, and others.
India’s squad for the Asian Games 2023:
Ruturaj Gaikwad (captain), Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rahul Tripathi, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wicket-keeper), Washington Sundar, Shahbaz Ahmed, Ravi Bishnoi, Avesh Khan, Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, Shivam Mavi, Shivam Dube, Prabhsimran Singh (wicket-keeper)
Standby players: Yash Thakur, Sai Kishore, Venkatesh Iyer, Deepak Hooda, and Sai Sudarsan
Here is how fans reacted to Ricky Ponting’s comments on Ruturaj Gaikwad:
He's a talented batsman, for sure
— Dr Nikhil Jain | SEBI RA (@iamMarketWiz) July 15, 2023
Things I don’t want to hear about player as soon as they breakthrough in one format…. “All format player”
— meghnath (@meghnath1789) July 15, 2023
For that he should get chance to be in the xi ,atm he can get chances only for Zimbabwe and Ireland and some irrelevant series and tournaments for next 2 years
— Karthik (@karthikS_5) July 15, 2023
https://twitter.com/Knightriders_17/status/1680160904552529920?s=20
Legends are appreciating him and some gully cricket chapri experts like pratham and daksh gill are trolling him ?
— Dhoni Popa (Less active) (@DhoniPopa) July 15, 2023
With 43 avg in FC?
— Neha Agarwal (@Neha_Agarwal2) July 15, 2023
Thankyou Ponting for seeing what BCCI can't.?
— Abhay Jadon (@GoatAbhay) July 15, 2023
Correction :
He can be all Format Test Player ?
— Tanmay (@Tanmay2118) July 15, 2023
Ponting said.. Means finished he predicted a lot in past ?
— Firoz Mansoori (@FerozMansoori) July 15, 2023
