Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has credited the Indian Premier League for producing fearless Indian batters who have helped the national side dominate Test series away from home. Speaking on Sky Sports, Ponting explained the reason behind India doing well on overseas tour, especially in Australia, where India have won back to back series.
India have in fact dominated the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with the Aussies winning their last bilateral Test series back in 2014. Ponting believed that the main reason behind this domination was the ability of the Indian batters to adapt and play fearlessly in foreign conditions.
“They won a game at the Gabba, which just doesn’t happen. I think their batsmen adapt to overseas batting conditions very well. I don’t think they’re as daunted by the Gabba or the Optus Oval, as they maybe once were. Maybe it is a selection thing, or they just don’t fear the big stage anymore,” Ponting told Sky Sports in an interview.
“For the last 10 years being around the IPL, I’ve noticed that a lot of the young guys [don’t fear the big stage anymore] as the IPL is high-pressure, it is like a World Cup for them. Their batsmen are all very aggressive stroke-making players. They are not scared of failing,” he added.
Ponting credited India’s fast bowling unit as well and credited Virat Kohli for playing a crucial role in developing India’s fast bowling reserves.
“Their fast-bowling depth is great. The leadership in the last 6-7 years has been strong, going back to Kohli’s start of captaincy, played a big role in turning the cricket around and Dravid has continued the same in the recent four years. The influence of someone like that [Kohli] around a team would be great and they’ve got star players,” said Ponting.
India will travel to Australia in the month of November to play the 5-match Test series. The Indian team will be led by Rohit Sharma who will captain a Test series in Australia for the first time.
Previously, India have won two Test series under the leadership of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane Down Under.
