Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting reckons Team India has more questions to answer as their regular captain and batting mainstay Virat Kohli will leave them in the midway during the competitive series against Australia in December.
Virat Kohli will miss out last three Test matches to attend the birth of his first child. He will be with the team until the first Test, which will be the first-ever pink ball Test between India and Australia.
While speaking to cricket.com.au, Ricky Ponting pointed out that India had an advantage in the last year’s series because Australia’s two star performers David Warner and Steve Smith were absent from the squad. Now, a similar scenario is for India because their massive contributor will be missing and leave a huge gap to fill, adds the former Australian captain.
“The one thing we haven’t spoken enough about is yes India were really good here last time, but with those guys (Smith and Warner) missing at the top of the order, that leaves a big gap in any team.
“India will feel that without Kohli there (for three Tests), for his batting and leadership, that will put all sorts of pressure on different players. You’d think (Ajinkya) Rahane will take over the captaincy, which will put extra pressure on him, and they’ve got to find someone to bat at that really important No.4 spot,” Ricky Ponting told cricket.com.au.
Team India Will Not Be Clear In Their Own Mind When Virat Kohli Goes: Ricky Ponting
According to the former Australia skipper, once Kohli goes, India will not be “clear in their own mind” with their batting order even for the first Test – a day-night fixture slated to be played at the Adelaide Oval from December 17.
“I don’t think they’ll be clear in their own mind, even now, what their batting order will look like for the first Test. Who’s going to open, who’ll bat at four when Kohli goes?” said Rikcy Ponting.
While Australia is debating over youngsters Will Pucovski and Cameron Green’s inclusion, Ricky Ponting believes India has more questions to answer.
“(Fast bowlers Mohammad) Shami, Jasprit Bumrah – will it be Ishant (Sharma), with it be Umesh Yadav, will it be a young guy like (Navdeep) Saini or (Mohammad) Siraj? The questions that are being asked around Australia with (Will) Pucovski and (Cameron) Green, I think India have got a few more questions to answer,” he added.
Virat Kohli will be part of the white-ball series, comprising of three-match ODI as well three-match T20I series which will be played before the Test series.