India Has Emerged A Global Powerhouse In The Game: Ricky Ponting

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has been actively associated with the IPL since its inception. It was in 2008 that Ricky Ponting joined the Kolkata Knight Riders but departed from the tournament to fulfil his international commitment, returning five years later in 2013. Hence, the Tasmanian understands how big an impact IPL has been over the years for Australia and highlighted the same.

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India and Australia have shared quite the rivalry ever since ancient times. The Australian team might have had a slight upper hand during their golden era; however, the Indian team scored some of their crushing victories against them only. The visit to each other’s nation one year after the other lead to improved relations between them even as there remained heated exchanges between the players on and off the field.

Ricky Ponting conceded that Australia’s perception towards India not during or after one particular series. Ricky Ponting believes that India has emerged as a global powerhouse when it comes to cricket. According to Ponting, since the early 1990s or 2000s, Australia and India have toured each other’s nation almost every year.

“Not (it happened during/after) one particular series. But I think, as India emerged as a global powerhouse in the game, Australia, any association (cricket board), wanted to be a part of that journey, I guess. I think, since maybe the late 1990s or early 2000s, Australia have made a tour to India, a Test tour or a one-day tour, pretty much every year. There has been an Australian tour to India or an Indian tour to Australia,” Ponting told News Indian Express.

“The IPL, I think, is still the best domestic tournament that we play” : Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting went on to state that IPL has done a world of good to Australia, Sri Lanka, New Zealand, England, South Africa, and the West Indies, allowing them to understand the cultures and other country’s teammates. The 45-year old credits the extravaganza for the economic growth of the cricket, labelling it as the best domestic tournament worldwide.

“I think the IPL has done an amazing job to be able to bring players from Australia, England, New Zealand, South Africa, West Indies and Sri Lanka. They bring over these players in one place for a couple of months a year and get those cultures, (the opportunity) to understand each other. India has had so much to do with the economic growth of cricket all over the world. The IPL, I think, is still the best domestic tournament that we play,” he added.

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