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Ricky Ponting warns Rohit Sharma’s India to not underestimate a depleted Australia within the 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final, as they excel in massive matches.
Ricky Ponting, Rohit Sharma. (PC: AFP, Sportzpics)
Ricky Ponting has warned Rohit Sharma‘s India towards underestimating a depleted Australia for Tuesday’s 2025 Champions Trophy semi-final on the Dubai Worldwide Cricket Stadium. He believes the Aussies save their ‘greatest cricket’ for these massive matches and shouldn’t be discounted.
Each India and Australia flew unbeaten via the group stage, although the latter had two of their video games washed out as a consequence of rain. The Kangaroos additionally don’t have their common skipper, Pat Cummins, and his two greatest fast-bowling helps, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, for this match.
“I believe India are going to begin favourites on this sport,” Ponting informed The ICC Overview. “They haven’t needed to transfer and journey. They’ve been coaching on these wickets on a regular basis. Australia have rushed in to Dubai to prepare… India will begin favourites, however I’ll by no means tip towards an Australian group,” he asserted. “These are the moments the place they play their greatest cricket.”
The final time these two heavyweights met in an ICC knockout was the 2023 World Cup closing in Ahmedabad the place Australia directed one of the horrific nights in Indian historical past with their six-wicket win.
Ponting stated India gained’t let it have an effect on them and would possibly even use the recollections as motivation.
“You’ll hope that might be left behind within the dressing room that evening,” he stated. “They’ve received numerous expertise, a distinct coach. Perhaps they haven’t even talked about it. Or perhaps they use it as motivation,” the previous captain remarked.
Ponting picks Australia’s opener
Australia have a small choice option to make forward of the massive match. Opener Matt Quick has been dominated out and the group has a number of choices to exchange him, together with his substitute within the squad, teen Cooper Connolly and the hard-hitting Delhi Capitals recruit Jake Fraser-McGurk.
Ponting, who has labored with Fraser-McGurk, felt choosing him can be the suitable transfer.
“He can slot straight into that place. To be sincere, that’s the way in which I might most likely go and simply hope that he has one in all his days as a result of in video games like these, the semi-finals, must-win, massive video games, you might want to throw warning to the wind,” Ponting stated.
“I believe he’s the kind of participant that when you again him, and provides him a chance, he would possibly simply be ok to win an enormous sport for you want that,” he stated.
The legend additionally didn’t rule out Josh Inglis and even stand-in captain Steve Smith doing the function on a brief foundation, both.
For extra in-depth protection of the Champions Trophy, take a look at the most recent Factors Desk to see the place your favourite group stands. Keep up to date on the event’s high performers with the Most Runs and Most Wickets leaderboards. Maintain following for all the most recent updates!