Ricky Ponting orders Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith to follow Virat Kohli to regain form in Adelaide Test

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting opened up about Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith's struggles during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) series opener. Ricky Ponting advised Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to trust their game, like how Virat Kohli made a strong comeback with a century.

Labuschagne and Smith failed to make an impact in the opening Test at Perth, where Australia suffered a heavy 295-run defeat. Labuschagne recorded scores of just 2 and 3 in his two innings. Smith, on the other hand, was dismissed for a first-ball duck and managed only 17 runs in his second innings.

Virat Kohli Went Back To Trusting His Game - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting said that Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith should trust their game, like Virat Kohli. Ponting said that Labuschagne looked the most tentative of all the batters in the opening Test. He stated that Labuschagne needs to find a way to bounce back against a quality bowling attack.

"Marnus looked the most tentative out of all the batters in Perth. Yes, it was high quality bowling on a difficult wicket, but he needs to find a way to turn it around," Ponting told ICC Review.

"Virat went back to trusting his game and he looked like a different player in the second innings than he did in the first innings," he added.

"He got away from trying to combat the opposition and focused on his strengths. That's what Marnus and Smith need to do - find their own way and show great intent," said Ponting.

Virat Kohli Scored His 30th Test Century in Second Innings in Perth

Virat Kohli was under pressure heading into the Perth Test after a lean run in India’s 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home. The right-handed batter was dismissed for just five runs off Australia's fast bowler Josh Hazlewood in the first innings on the challenging surface.

However, the 36-year-old batter made a remarkable comeback in the second innings. He reached his 30th century in Test cricket, scoring an unbeaten 100. He helped India set a massive 534-run target. India went on to win the match by 295 runs, their largest Test victory in Australia.

I'd Be Sticking With The Same Side - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting backed the same playing XI for the upcoming match despite the heavy loss in Perth. He emphasized the importance of showing faith in experienced players who have previously proven themselves at the highest level.

"I'd be sticking with the same side. I think you have to show faith in champion players and a lot of the guys that we're talking about in this team have been champion players. Maybe not for a little while, but they have proven their ability on the big stage," Ponting added.

Australia will face India in the second Test, a day-night match in Adelaide, starting on December 6. However, they will miss injured pacer Josh Hazlewood. Uncapped pacers Sean Abbott and Brendan Doggett have been added to the squad, but Josh Boland is expected to be included in the playing XI.

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