IND vs AUS: Ex-Australia Skipper Ricky Ponting Names Jasprit Bumrah As Best Performing T20I Bowler Over Shaheen Afridi
Published - 23 Sep 2022, 01:09 AM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:13 AM
Australia legend Ricky Ponting gave some interesting choices when quizzed to pick his favourite player in some of the most difficult matchups between top names in the shortest format.
Two of the leading pacers in the current era, Jasprit Bumrah and Shaheen Afridi boast of having enviable records in the T2oI format. While Bumrah has 69 scalps in 58 matches, Afridi has claimed 47 wickets in 40 games.
The two pacers are equally effective with the new ball as well as in the death overs and Ponting too had a tough time in picking one.
Ricky Ponting gives Jasprit Bumrah the edge owing to the Indian’s experience
Speaking to ICC Review, Ponting opined, “Look, how do you split those two guys? They are two of the best performing bowlers in the world in the last couple of years in all formats of the game.”
Eventually, Ponting settled for the experienced campaigner in Bumrah. “I’ll probably go on experience alone – I’ll go for Bumrah. He’s played a fair bit of cricket in Australia now, played more in Australia than Afridi and has played more big tournaments as well than Afridi has,” he added.
Ricky Ponting gives verdict on Dinesh Karthik vs Risbhab Pant debate
A debate ongoing in the Indian cricketing circles is who should be the designated wicketkeeper-batter in the side. While Karthik can boast about being an excellent finisher, Pant’s prodigious talent has seen him being backed by several pundits.
Praising both, Ponting said, “I actually think that India’s best team has both of these players. I don’t care if they are both keepers but I think their batting prowess is enough.”
However, the Aussie eventually opined Pant had an edge over Karthik as he is likely to be afforded more chances.
“Look, I’m just going to favour Rishabh because I think he might get slightly more opportunities than Dinesh does,” he concluded.
ALSO READ: IND vs AUS: Suryakumar Yadav Defends Harshal Patel, Says “Itna Toh Benefit Banta Hai”
