As David Warner walked off the field (AFP), former captain Ricky Ponting took a moment on Monday to highlight Warner's brilliant return to the Indian Premier League. Ponting suggested that such a strong start is a great omen for Australia as they prepare for the World Cup. This performance follows a period of absence for Warner and Steve Smith, who both missed the last T20 season because of the ball-tampering dispute.
Past skipper Ricky Ponting Monday recognized David Warner’s stunning
batting on return to the Indian Premier League, naming the pound an “unprecedented sign for Australia” before the World Cup. Warner hit 85 off 53 balls on his IPL rebound on Sunday subsequent to missing the past release of the Twenty20 competition alongside previous skipper Steve Smith because of a ball-altering controversy.
Although Sunrisers Hyderabad ultimately lost to the Kolkata Knight Riders by six wickets, Warner's contribution didn't go unnoticed. Ricky Ponting, who currently coaches the Delhi Capitals, told reporters that he had a chat with the opener. According to Ponting, Warner was happy with his output but felt he wasn't yet back to his peak form, which Ponting believes is a natural part of coming back from a break.
The batting legend, who admitted he had missed seeing Warner's aggressive style, noted that it's natural for a player to struggle slightly at first after being away from high-level cricket for several months. However, he emphasized that this is a fantastic sign for both the player and the Australian squad heading into the World Cup. While the official bans for Warner and Smith conclude on March 28, the IPL provides them with a crucial opportunity to regain their rhythm before the 50-over World Cup begins in May.
Ponting also shared his admiration for the rising Indian talent Rishabh Pant, who played a pivotal role in Delhi's opening match on Sunday by smashing 78 runs off just 27 balls. Pant's explosive batting led Delhi—a team still searching for its first title—to a 37-run victory after they posted a total of 213 for six. Ponting remarked that while he's known about Pant's 'X factor' for a few seasons, he is now thrilled to see the wicketkeeper-batsman turning that potential into match-winning performances.
Ponting added that he has watched Pant grow both as a player and a person, predicting that this win is just the beginning of a successful season for the Delhi squad. When asked if young players could use the IPL to secure a spot in the World Cup, Ponting mentioned that he would definitely keep Pant and Delhi captain Shreyas Iyer on the radar. He noted that the best way for them to prove their worth to selectors is to keep scoring consistently in the IPL. Pant, who is widely seen as the successor to MS Dhoni, has already built a reputation as a dangerous hitter, including a maiden Test century during a tour of England.