Ricky Ponting Backs Suryakumar Yadav to Gain Form Ahead of T20 World Cup 2026

Ricky Ponting had backed out-of-form India T20I captain Suryakumar Yadav to regain confidence and return to his best.

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has urged India’s T20I skipper Suryakumar Yadav to back himself and focus on scoring runs as he prepares to lead the side in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2026.

Yadav has endured a lean patch in 2025, scoring just 218 runs across 19 innings. The Indian captain has also struggled to impose his usual aggressive style, managing a strike rate of 123.16, well below his established standards in the format.

Reflecting on Yadav’s recent struggles, Ponting admitted he was surprised by the dip in form. “That’s as big a surprise for me, just looking at his recent form. He’s been such a solid and consistent contributor for India in T20 cricket for a long time and just hasn’t been able to find it of late,” Ponting said.

Ponting highlighted that Yadav’s best performances have often come after taking some time to settle at the crease. “He’s an interesting one because when I’ve seen him play his best, he’s taken six or eight or 10 balls to get going and then just lets it all go,” said Ponting.

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Ponting Backs Suryakumar For Run Scoring

The Australian great advised the Indian batter to remove the fear of dismissal and concentrate on run-scoring. Ponting stressed that self-belief has always been the foundation of Yadav’s success in T20 cricket.

“He plays all of his shots and backs himself and a bit like Travis Head where it almost looks like they don’t ever fear getting out,” Ponting noted.

“That’s what I’d say to him. I’d be saying, think about scoring runs, don’t think about getting out. Trust yourself, back yourself. You’re proven to be as good as anybody in the world in the T20 format and go and prove it to everybody once again.”

Ponting also shared his views on India’s leadership group, particularly following Axar Patel’s appointment as vice-captain. He believes Patel’s all-round skills could play a crucial role as India target a historic second straight T20 World Cup title.

“The last few series he’s been their pinch hitter at different times. They’ve batted him up the order at number three. When they’ve needed that left hand right hand combination he’s been the man to go out and try and do it for them and he’s obviously ever consistent with his left-arm off spin as well.”