Ricky Ponting ditches his own Australian Big Bash League as he says this about the IPL

Updated - 24 Apr 2024, 10:42 AM

Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting (Image Credits: Twitter)

Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach Ricky Ponting praised the Indian Premier League (IPL) as the top domestic T20 competition globally "by a long way." Ricky Ponting stated that the IPL provides a valuable learning platform for young cricketers, citing Jake Fraser-McGurk as an example.

Jake Fraser-McGurk played an explosive innings against Sunrisers Hyderabad (SRH) in the Delhi Capitals' recent match. The young batter recorded the fastest fifty in the ongoing tournament, reaching the milestone in 15 balls. He scored 65 runs off 18 balls, including 5 fours and 7 sixes.

However, the DC team lost momentum following Fraser-McGurk's dismissal. The Rishabh Pant-led team failed to chase down the 267-run target at their home ground. They were bowled out for just 199 runs in 19.1 overs. DC has won just three matches out of eight so far this season.

Speaking before his team's match against the Gujarat Titans (GT), Ricky Ponting praised Jake Fraser-McGurk's talent. However, Ponting emphasized that Fraser-McGurk still has a lot to improve in his game.

"There is no doubt about it that he (Fraser-McGurk) is a highly talented young man but he is by no means a finished product yet. There is a lot of things to improve in his game and there are not many best places to learn than IPL because it is the best domestic T20 competition in the world by a long way," Ponting said.

Jake Fraser-McGurk Needs To Make A 100 - Ricky Ponting

The World Cup-winning Australian skipper emphasized the need for players like Jake Fraser-McGurk to capitalize on opportunities and convert good starts into big scores, citing the example of Yashasvi Jaiswal's recent century.

"The other day he made 65 off 18 balls but it is important he learns from that. He needs to make a 100 like (Yashasvi) Jaiswal did last night. Top-order batsmen, when they get opportunity to make big scores, they should go and get it, that's the difference between winning and losing games," Ponting added.

We Are Letting Him Go - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting expressed his desire to continue working with Jake Fraser-McGurk in the coming years. Ponting mentioned that the team management will allow Fraser-McGurk to play with an aggressive approach.

"He is learning and I would like to work with him more for the next couple of years. He is just a terrific kid. He has simple game plan, hit the first ball for 6, second ball for 6, and we are letting him go and play as he wants to," Ponting further stated.

SRH's opening pair, Travis Head and Abhishek Sharma, launched a relentless attack in the match. DC couldn't contain runs against the SRH batters, allowing them to amass a formidable total of 266/7. Axar Patel conceded just 29 runs in his four-over quota, including one wicket.

The Delhi-based team will take on the Gujarat Titans in their next match at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Wednesday, April 24.

Also read: T20 World Cup 2024: Sanju Samson, KL Rahul omitted as Irfan Pathan names India's squad for World Cup

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Ricky Ponting Jake Fraser-McGurk IPL Delhi Capitals