By Zainab Shafiq 
Although Suryakumar Yadav has been struggling with his recent form, Ricky Ponting, the former captain of Australia, believes that India should support him ahead of the home 50-over World Cup scheduled for later this year. During India’s previous ODI assignment, Suryakumar was dismissed for three consecutive golden ducks, leading to Australia’s victory in the series 2-1 in India.
Despite this, Ponting stated that he is the type of player who can “lead you to victory in a World Cup.” Ponting further stated to the ICC Review that “Everyone around the world knows what Surya [Suryakumar] can do in white-ball cricket. They should stick with him, I feel. Because he is I think the kind of player that can win you a World Cup.”
Former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting believes that Suryakumar Yadav, despite being inconsistent in his recent form, has the potential to be a match-winner for India in the upcoming home 50-over World Cup. Drawing parallels with the late Andrew Symonds, Ponting stated that “He might be a little bit inconsistent, but he’s the sort of guy who in big moments can win you something,” adding that India should not play it safe and instead opt for match-winning players like Suryakumar.
With only two half-centuries in 21 ODI innings, Suryakumar’s performance may not be impressive, but Ponting believes that he is a player with immense talent and potential. He further suggested that Suryakumar should bat at the No. 5 slot, where he can have more time to settle into the game and grow into his role. According to Ponting, giving your best batsman as much time as possible is crucial in all formats of the game, and he feels that the No. 5 slot is perfect for Suryakumar, given the other strong batsmen in the Indian squad.
Ponting emphasized the importance of investing in talented players like Suryakumar and giving them a clear role and direction. When talented players are given opportunities, they can single-handedly win games, and Ponting believes that Suryakumar has the potential to do so. Despite his recent struggles, Suryakumar’s ability to perform in big moments could make him a valuable asset to India’s World Cup campaign.
Ponting’s endorsement of Suryakumar Yadav shows his faith in the player’s abilities and potential to perform in high-pressure situations. As India prepares for the upcoming home 50-over World Cup, Ponting’s words could encourage the Indian selectors to back Suryakumar and give him a chance to prove his worth on the international stage.