Shubman Gill & Ajinkya Rahane Played More Good Pull Shots Than Australia Have Played In The Two Tests - Ricky Ponting

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting expressed his unhappiness at his countrymen’s lack of intent in the second Test against India that led to their loss. Ricky Ponting, who was part of Australia’s squad that dominated India inside and out down under during his playing days, was not happy about Australia not playing the drives and pull shots. Ponting conceded that he could count on his one hand how many such shots Australia crafted.

Australia’s batsmen have struggled to put on compelling scores against India’s bowling in the ongoing four-match Test series, managing totals of 191, 195, 200 in three out of their four completed innings along with not being able to up their scoring rate. Even their premier batsmen Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith have found it challenging to get going with the latter failing even to reach double figures thus far.

Ricky Ponting underlined that he could count on his hand as to how many pull shots he has seen and how many drives down the ground have the batsmen played. The Tasmanian also pointed out that the Indian bowlers have bowled several short-pitched and full deliveries at the home side’s batsmen.

“Probably, yes. But i can count on one hand in Two Test matches how many pull shots have been played, how many drives down the ground have you seen? You can’t tell me there haven’t been short balls bowled or fulls balls bowled. There have been enough,” Ponting said in the Unplayable Podcast.

We saw today, i know it was a small total and it is easier to go and play your shots: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further said that India’s target in the fourth innings of the second Test being small, they could take chances and play more shots. Ponting lamented that growing up to play on Australian pitches, Australia’s batsmen should be able to play more of it and well enough. However, the 168-Test veteran believes that Ajinkya Rahane and Shubman Gill did it better.

“We saw today, i know it was a small total and it is easier to go and play your shots, but Shubman Gill & Ajinkya Rahane played more good pull shots than I think Australia have played in the two Tests. For Indian batsmen to do that against our attack & for ours to not, it’ll be a cop-out to just say their bowlers were good,” he added.

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