Ricky Ponting asserts that the success of India in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 was significantly supported by the experience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, complemented by exceptional performances from their all-rounders. In a conversation with Crystal Arnold during the latest episode of The ICC Review, Ponting remarked, “The all-rounders throughout the tournament were remarkable. (Ravindra) Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya all delivered outstanding performances. I mentioned at the beginning of the tournament that India would be a formidable opponent due to their overall balance and the effective combination of youth and experience. Once again, in the final, the captain rose to the occasion and fulfilled his responsibilities for the team.” With three all-rounders included in their playing XI for all five matches of the recently concluded Champions Trophy, India showcased remarkable batting depth and a diverse range of bowling options.
Analyzing their contributions, Ponting remarked, “They were inherently a well-rounded team, particularly due to the presence of numerous all-rounders. With players like Hardik Pandya and Axar Patel, who were utilized higher up the batting order on several occasions for their left-handed batting option, alongside Jadeja, they formed a very cohesive unit. “The only potential concern might have been their relatively limited fast bowling options; however, it turned out that this was not a significant issue.
“In this context, Hardik Pandya's role becomes crucial, as he is capable of bowling with the new ball and can effectively manage some early overs, thereby easing the workload for the spinners during the latter part of the Powerplay and throughout the middle overs, where they predominantly rely on spin bowling. Additionally, Ponting praised Axar, who consistently contributed to the Indian team, primarily batting at the No. 5 position.”
Axar Patel is another individual who deserves significant recognition for his performance in this tournament. His bowling was remarkably consistent and dependable, as noted by Ponting. Furthermore, his brief yet impactful contributions with the bat, particularly when he entered the game to stabilize the situation, greatly eased the pressure on the lower-order batsmen, including KL Rahul, Pandya, and Jadeja. I believe he merits considerable praise for his overall performance in the tournament.
(This story is published from a syndicated feed)