Ricky Ponting asserts ‘India is capable of handling’ the transition phase without Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli

With Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli having retired from the game’s longest format in May 2025, Ricky Ponting discussed India’s prospects in Test cricket going forward. Ponting believed it would be difficult to replace players of Virat’s and Rohit’s calibre before India’s trip to England. However, he believed that with the skill, India could swiftly recover.

The Australian asserted that he has personally witnessed how young players quickly rise to prominence in the IPL, gain speedy access to the Indian squad, and repeat their talent with top-tier performances. Ricky Ponting asserted that the quantity of potential would guarantee India’s success, despite his belief that young people lack experience.

“Players like that who have been around for a long time and who have played that much Test cricket are always very difficult to replace. However, with their abundance of young talent, India can accomplish this swiftly if any nation can,” Ponting stated in the ICC Review.

“I have witnessed it firsthand for the past ten years during the IPL, and we have witnessed the rise of players like Jaiswal and others who have joined India’s international cricket team and performed admirably very immediately. The experience is the main thing that India will be lacking, Ponting continued. “I think India will be able to replace the skill side of it with considerable ease.

They will still have some familiarity with KL. Bumrah and Rahul: Ricky Ponting

Even without Rohit and Virat, India has the experience of Jasprit Bumrah and KL Rahul, according to the PBKS head coach. India can handle its transition period better than other teams, he said in closing.

Thus, even with a youthful skipper like Shubman Gill, they will still have some familiarity with players like KL Rahul, Bumrah, and others. However, I believe that India can handle a rebuilding phase better than most other teams,” Ponting said in closing.