TOP STORIES
"Please don’t do this": Ricky Ponting reveals he urged Delhi Capitals not to trade Abhishek Sharma to SRH
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has made his glowing endorsement of Indian power-hitter Abhishek Sharma ahead of the upcoming T20 World Cup, believing the Indian opener is primed for a breakout global tournament. Ponting further predicted that Abhishek could finish as the competition’s highest run-scorer — and possibly walk away with the Player of the Tournament award.
Ponting’s confidence in Abhishek comes from years of close observation.
Ponting had already identified his potential during their time together at Delhi Capitals in the IPL back in 2018. Ponting also revealed that he actively urged the Delhi Capitals management to retain Abhishek, saying that patience would be rewarded.
“I was his first IPL coach. He debuted with me, I think as a 17-year-old at Delhi and made an immediate impact,” Ponting said on the ICC review.
He debuted with me, I think as a 17-year-old in Delhi and made an immediate impact. I think he hit his first ball for four or six straight back over the bowler's head with that classical sort of straight bat and held the pose. And you could just see then as a 17-year-old that there was something extra special,” Ponting said.
Despite Ponting's request, Delhi Capitals traded Abhishek Sharma to Sunrisers Hyderabad ahead of the 2019 season of the IPL.
“We ended up trading him away from Delhi, but I pleaded and pleaded and pleaded and said, please don’t do this. We’ve got to (keep him), there’s an absolute superstar in the making here, and that’s what it’s turned out to be. I’ve got really high hopes for him this time,” Ponting stated.
Tags
More News
Suryakumar stays tight-lipped on handshake debate ahead of India vs Pakistan T20 World Cup clash
As anticipation builds for the blockbuster T20 World Cup face-off between India and Pakistan in Colombo, India captain Suryakumar Yadav chose to remain tight-lipped on whether team India would shake hands with their opponents.
India are set to face arch-rivals Pakistan on Sunday in Colombo, in what promises to be one of the most high-volt...
Stands named after legends Dravid and Kumble at Chinnaswamy Stadium
The Karnataka State Cricket Association (KSCA) has announced that stands at Bengaluru’s iconic M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will be named after former India captains Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble and Shantha Rangaswamy. The decision celebrates not only their statistical greatness but also their lasting influence on Indian cricket across generations. Drav...
"The game should be played in spirit": Pakistan captain Salman Agha ahead of India-Pakistan showdown
Pakistan captain Salman Ali Agha has remained tight-lipped on whether his side will participate in a customary pre-match handshake with India ahead of their much-anticipated T20 World Cup clash on Sunday in Colombo. However, he asserted that regardless of the decision, players from both teams should uphold the spirit of the game in what promises to be a high-voltage clash.
<...
Arch-rivals India and Pakistan prepare for the biggest group stage clash
The cricket's fiercest rivalry will be on full display when India and Pakistan lock horns in the 27th match of the ICC Men's T20 World Cup in Colombo. With both teams unbeaten so far, the contest is being billed as the biggest group-stage encounter of the tournament — a high-voltage clash that carries history, pride, and huge expectations.
The India–Pakis...
AUS-W vs IND-W, 1st T20I: Australia, India ramp up preparations for T20 World Cup
The highly anticipated multi-format showdown between Australia and India women begins on Sunday at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground, where the first of three T20Is will be played. For Australia, this series signals more than just a return to T20 cricket, as it marks a significant transition in leadership. With Alyssa Healy stepping away from th...
Android App
iOS App
YouTube
Facebook
Instagram