Rohit, Virat or Rahul can’t be pushed out despite fast-emerging talents: Ponting

Team India’s horrendous run in the T20 World Cup 2021 raised several questions. With stalwarts like Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Ravindra Jadeja in ranks, the Men in Blue were expected to go a long way. However, these names couldn’t live up to the expectations as India couldn’t even clear the group stage. Many fans and experts are even of the belief that the national team should give chances to young talents with the veterans not delivering.

However, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has backed the senior pros to shine in national colours. The cricket legend believes the likes of Kohli, Rohit and Rahul aren’t likely to be displaced anytime soon despite India’s ever-increasing pool of talented cricketers and the poor show in the marquee competition.

India are starting to bring a few younger guys in: Ricky Ponting

Ponting made the claim on being asked whether youngsters like Ruturaj Gaikwad and Devdutt Padikkal can do better than the current core. In reply, Ponting opined that India can try players for few positions, but the main pillars of the team should remain. He also added that the veteran players are being questioned due to several talented youngsters waiting for their chances.

“They had Ishan Kishan and Suryakymar Yadav in the squad, they are starting to bring a few younger guys in. Shreyas Iyer, he was one of the emergencies [sic] around the squad but you are not going to push Rohit Sharma out, Virat out, or KL Rahul out,” Ponting said in a conversation with the Grade Cricketer.

“They have got Hardik Pandya in there, maybe if he’s not bowling, they can use one of those younger blokes in the middle order but yeah there’s just so many of them. So many good young players that when one of their senior guys doesn’t go well you think ‘Better put these young blokes in’ but yeah, they have got too many that’s why these questions come up,” he added.

Speaking of the team’s early ouster in the global event, Ponting reckoned the players were exhausted due to continuous cricket. “Yeah, I think, they were just exhausted. I mean, their run, what they have had – you’ve got to understand where they have been,” asserted the 46-year-old.