Ricky Ponting, the legendary Australian cricketer, has expressed his support for Shubman Gill as the ideal candidate to lead India into a new era of Test cricket, following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.

With both icons stepping down from the longest format last month, India has appointed the 25-year-old Gill as captain for their upcoming five-Test tour of England, which also marks the start of a new World Test Championship cycle. This transition signifies the first time in over a decade that the Indian team will take the field without Kohli or Rohit.

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Though some cricket analysts have voiced support for Jasprit Bumrah, who led India to victory in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia last year, Ponting firmly believes that Gill is ready to take on this significant responsibility and steer the team into a new chapter.

“I believe it’s the right decision,” Ponting stated on The ICC Review, addressing the debate surrounding Gill’s captaincy. “Many pundits are questioning why Bumrah wasn’t chosen and why Shubman was selected, but the reasoning is straightforward.”

“Bumrah’s recent injuries have hindered him, and it’s crucial not to have a captain who’s frequently unavailable. Therefore, I think this choice is justified. Now that Gill has been appointed, it’s important for the team to commit to him for the long haul.”

Ponting, who has worked with Gill during IPL seasons, praised the young batsman’s temperament and leadership abilities, especially after steering the Gujarat Titans through a challenging IPL 2025 campaign.

“If you look at how he managed the GT team during IPL, it’s clear that leadership is a natural fit for him,” Ponting said.

“A key aspect of leadership, particularly for a batsman, is consistently scoring runs. Shubman is excelling in the IPL, and I think the timing for his captaincy is spot on. He has the potential to be an effective captain who will make valuable Test contributions.”

While Ponting has confidence in Gill’s leadership capabilities, he believes there may still be questions regarding his best batting position. Having alternated between the opening spot and No. 3 in his 32 Test matches, Ponting suggested that moving Gill down the order could relieve some pressure, allowing him to settle into his captaincy role.

“I think (Sai) Sudharsan and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will open the batting in England; Sudharsan certainly seems like a promising player and could perform well at the Test level,” Ponting noted.

“With two young openers, the team might benefit from having someone more experienced at No. 3. Whether that’s KL Rahul or Karun Nair, Shubman might find himself batting at No. 4, which could simplify things for him as a young captain.”

“Their starting lineup for the England series may likely be Sudharsan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill, and Karun Nair.”

India Ready for Transition

Transitioning from legends like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli is a significant challenge, but Ponting is optimistic that India possesses the depth and talent to manage this transition effectively.

“Replacing players who have been pivotal for so long in Test cricket is difficult. However, if any nation can do this swiftly and efficiently, it’s India due to its pool of young talent,” he remarked.

“Having seen it up close for over a decade in the IPL, we’ve witnessed players like Jaiswal stepping into international cricket and succeeding right away. While skill can be replaced, the experience is what they’ll miss.”

“Even with a young leader in Shubman Gill, India still has seasoned players like KL Rahul and Bumrah. I believe India is better equipped than many teams to handle a rebuilding phase.”

Ponting Supports Arshdeep’s Inclusion

Ponting also commented on the surprising selection of left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh for the England tour—a decision that has caught attention. Having coached Arshdeep at Punjab Kings, Ponting sees his experience in English conditions as an asset.

“I would definitely include him in the Test lineup for the England series,” Ponting expressed.

“He’s a skilled bowler, has played County cricket, and understands the local conditions. The Dukes ball will be advantageous for him in the UK. His left-arm angle adds diversity, and it would surprise me if India doesn’t utilize him.”

“As we know, in England, the ball continues to swing for 30 to 50 overs, so having someone with swing-bowling capability, especially a left-arm option, is crucial for the Indian team.”

India’s five-Test series in England kicks off on June 20 at Headingley, Leeds.