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Australia's legendary captain Ricky Ponting has backed India skipper Shubman Gill for giving it back to the England team during the Lord's Test. Just before the Day 3's play, England openers did not want India to squeeze in another over. This led to antics from Zak Crawley which infuriated Gill, who made a few remarks and gestures to back his team. On being asked whether he was surprised to Gill in such 'avatar', Ponting said it was a little out of character for him but understands why he did it.
“That was a little out of character from what I've known from Shubman in the past,” Ponting told host Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review. “I am sure everyone that was there watching it and I know you would know him quite well, that's not what he's generally like.”
Ponting saw it as Gill's attempt to show that he is the leader of the pack and will not refrain from giving it back to the opposition.
“That's the captain standing up for his team, that's a captain really wanting to show that it's his team now and this is the way that we're going to play the game, and also, I guess, wanting to give a little bit back,” Ponting said.
Ponting on England media and crowd
Ponting is no stranger to hostile England crowds. He was their captain during the iconic Ashes 2005 as well.
“The UK can be a hard place to play. The crowds, as much as they love their game, can be as hostile a place to play as anywhere in the world," said the Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach.
“The media there, when you're in a big series, when it's an Ashes series or when it's England and India, the media always feel like they're right on top of your back as well.”
Ponting loves aggressive Gill
However, Ponting feels that Gill has stamped his authority with his aggressive act at Lord's. He loved watching the 25-year-old stand up for his team.
“I think that's him starting to put his stamp on his team. And a lot like Virat (Kohli) did, similar ways like that. Rohit (Sharma) probably was never as outwardly aggressive, I guess, especially to opposition players," the 50-year-old said.
“I know he (Rohit) would quite often get aggressive with his teammates and try to bring the best out of them that way. But I love watching Shubman stand up for what he thought was right in the game last week,” he added.
Gill leading the charts, need to break Manchester jinx
Despite low scores in Lord's Test, Gill is the leading run-scorer of the series. He has 607 runs from three Tests at an average of 101.17, including three centuries. If India are to level the series, Gill-led India need to script history with first-ever Test win at Manchester.
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