Ricky Ponting, the ICC Hall of Famer, shared his insights on the playing XI he would select for Australia's second Test against India. He emphasised the strategies his former team should adapt to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. Ponting noted that Australia had struggled in the first Test in Perth, where a standout performance from Jasprit Bumrah contributed to India's 295-run victory. Despite the team's disappointing performance, Ponting advised against making any changes to the lineup for the pink-ball match in Adelaide, asserting the importance of maintaining faith in the experience of established players.
He specifically addressed Marnus Labuschagne, who faced criticism for his lacklustre performance in the opening Test, managing only five runs. Ponting emphasised that Labuschagne needed to find his form again, recalling his earlier success in helping Australia secure their first World Test Championship title last year. He remarked on the necessity for batters to adopt an aggressive mindset against elite bowlers like Bumrah, encouraging them to take calculated risks and make the most of scoring opportunities.
Ponting pointed to Virat Kohli's turnaround in form as a model for Labuschagne and Steve Smith to follow. He underscored the significance of concentrating on scoring rather than fearing dismissal, suggesting a positive, intent-driven approach to enhance performance. Additionally, he congratulated Beau Webster on his selection for the Test squad, while expressing confidence that Mitch Marsh would keep his place provided he was fit.