Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has supported Team India skipper Shubman Gill for the latter’s exasperation against England openers Zak Crawley and Ben Duckett in the third Test at the iconic Lord’s. In the second innings of the third match, Gill was seen having a heated exchange with Crawley following the latter’s act of wasting time to evade playing a couple of overs before the conclusion of the third day. Crawley, when pulled out during Jasprit Bumrah’s attempt to bowl, Gill lost his composure and gave him a mouthful and a gesture. Gill went to Crawley for the second time, when the young English opener called his team’s physio after getting hit by Bumrah.
Following the infamous incident, former England batter Jonathan Trott berated Gill for his outburst but the Australia legend Ponting has said that Gill’s reaction was of the captain that stood up for the team. "That was a little out of character from what I've known from Shubman in the past. I am sure everyone who was there watching it, and I know you would know him quite well, that's not what he's generally like. That's the captain standing up for his team, that's a captain really wanting to show that it's his team now and this is the way that we're going to play the game, and also, I guess, wanting to give a little bit back,” remarked Ponting on ICC Review.
Ricky Ponting feels England tours are difficult
Ricky Ponting, who toured England four times for the Ashes during his illustrious career, emphasised that England tours are tough. “The UK can be a hard place to play. The crowds, as much as they love their game, can be as hostile a place to play as anywhere in the world. The media there, when you're in a big series, when it's an Ashes series or when it's England and India, the media always feel like they're right on top of your back as well,” said Ponting.
Shubman Gill’s captaincy prowess will be tested in the fourth Test. After the three-match Test series, Team India are trailing by 1-2 in the three-match red-ball series. Gill will have to deliver effective results to the side as batter and leader in the game to keep the series alive.
