Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has shared his thoughts on Shubman Gill’s recent on-field confrontations during the Lord’s Test, noting that while the behavior seemed uncharacteristic, it showcased a captain standing up for his team.
Ponting Weighs In on Gill’s Flare-Up
The Lord’s Test was certainly eventful, with several heated moments. One particular incident involving Indian captain Shubman Gill and England opener Zak Crawley at the end of Day 3 captured significant attention.
Ricky Ponting, speaking to ‘The ICC Review’, admitted that Gill’s aggressive demeanor was a bit “out of character” based on his past observations. However, he quickly added a crucial perspective.
A Captain’s Bold Statement
Ponting believes these actions were a clear sign of Gill asserting his authority and leadership. He described it as “a captain standing up for his team” and showing a strong desire to demonstrate “this is the way that we’re going to play the game.”
The former Australian skipper also drew a parallel between Gill’s actions and those of former Indian captain Virat Kohli. He suggested that Gill is now starting “to put his stamp on his team,” much like Kohli did during his captaincy.
Unlike Rohit Sharma, who was less outwardly aggressive towards opposition players, Gill’s assertiveness was something Ponting admired. He expressed his appreciation for Gill “standing up for what he thought was right in the game last week.”
Gill Explains Lord’s Confrontation
Shubman Gill himself later clarified the situation ahead of the 4th Test in Manchester. He addressed the widespread discussion surrounding the incident, explaining the specific reason for his strong reaction.
According to Gill, the English batsmen were significantly late in coming to the crease on Day 3. He stated they were “90 seconds late,” not just a few moments, which he felt went against the spirit of the game.
Upholding the Spirit of the Game
Gill acknowledged that delaying tactics are sometimes used by teams to reduce the number of overs played. However, he emphasized that there’s a proper manner to do so.
He drew a distinction between legitimate delays, such as physios attending to an injured player, and what happened at Lord’s. For Gill, taking 90 seconds to appear at the crease was a breach of sportsmanship and the true “spirit of the game.”
- Ricky Ponting viewed Shubman Gill’s Lord’s Test confrontations as “out of character” but also a sign of strong leadership.
- Ponting believes Gill is asserting his authority as captain, similar to how Virat Kohli led.
- Shubman Gill clarified his actions were due to England batsmen being 90 seconds late to the crease, which he felt was against the spirit of the game.
These incidents highlight the intense nature of Test cricket and the fine line between competitive play and perceived breaches of sporting conduct.
