Synopsis
Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting praised India's well-balanced team during their 2025 Champions Trophy victory, attributing their success to the outstanding performances of all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel.Key Takeaways
- Ricky Ponting highlights India's strong all-rounder presence.
- Jadeja, Pandya, and Patel contributed to India's depth.
- The mix of youth and experience was pivotal.
- Hardik's role in fast bowling was crucial.
- Axar Patel's consistent performance was commendable.
New Delhi, March 14 (NationPress) Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has stated that India showcased a remarkably well-balanced team throughout their victorious campaign in the 2025 Champions Trophy, largely due to their exceptional all-rounders: Ravindra Jadeja, Hardik Pandya, and Axar Patel.
With Jadeja, Hardik, and Axar all in the same lineup, India possessed impressive batting depth and a variety of bowling options. “Their all-rounders performed exceptionally well during the tournament. (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya were all outstanding,” remarked Ponting.
“At the beginning of the tournament, I mentioned that India would be a formidable opponent due to their overall balance and the blend of youth and experience. Once again, during the final, the captain rose to the occasion and delivered for his team,” Ponting added during an episode of The ICC Review.
Discussing Hardik's pivotal role in the fast-bowling department, Ponting observed, “They were a very well-balanced side, but the presence of so many all-rounders made a significant difference… with Hardik Pandya, Axar Patel, who was often utilized up the order for that left-handed option, and Jadeja, they formed a very well-rounded team.”
“One could argue that they appeared somewhat light on fast bowling, but ultimately, that wasn't necessary. This is where Hardik Pandya's contribution becomes crucial, as he was able to bowl with the new ball and ease the workload for the spinners during the later stages of their Powerplay and throughout the middle overs, where they primarily relied on spin,” he elaborated.
Ponting concluded by applauding Axar, who played a crucial part as a number five batter in India’s lineup. “Axar Patel deserves significant recognition for his performance in this tournament. His bowling was consistently reliable and solid,” he stated.
“Additionally, his timely contributions with the bat, particularly in stabilizing the innings and easing the pressure on the lower order including KL Rahul, Pandya, and Jadeja, warrant considerable praise,” he added.
