Ricky Ponting Backs THIS PBKS Pacer To Shine For India Against England

PBKS head coach Ricky Ponting back his side's pacer to perform well for India in the upcoming Test series against England. Read below.

Ricky Ponting is currently working with Arshdeep Singh as the head coach of PBKS

Source : @X/ICC

Legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting has given his inputs on India's pace attack leading into the England Test seris next month, as the current PBKS head coach makes an interesting statement by labelling Arshdeep Singh as a huge 'X factor'.

The most succesful World Cup winning captain in the history of the sport is currently working with Arshdeep Singh at Punjab Kings, as the franchise have finished on top of the table in IPL 2025 points table. 

India will be heading into the New Era of Test Cricket, as Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have announced their retirement from the format.

Shubman Gill will be leading the side, as Jasprit Bumrah heads into the series without the burden of captaincy.

India have lacked left-arm seamers in Test Cricket, and while speaking to ICC, Ricky Ponting pointed out the importance of having Arshdeep Singh in the Starting XI, given his prowess with thenew ball and experience of playing in the County.

Here's What Ricky Ponting Said

"I've had a good chance to get to know him really well. He's a great character to have around the team. He's a fun-loving guy. He's very laid-back around the group, which is great. Which is what we all like."

"As soon as the squad was announced the other day, the Test squad, the first thing I did in our team meeting was to make sure that I acknowledged that Arshdeep had been picked in front of everybody and just congratulated him in front of everybody. I think it's well deserved. I think he’ll bowl well in England as well."

"I would actually have him in their Test team at the start. He's very skillful. I think the Dukes ball will help him in the UK as well. And I just think to have that point of difference, having a left-armer in your team, I think will be something that, if India don't do it then it'll be a bit of a surprise to me."

"He's played county cricket and he knows the conditions there as well. Arshdeep is close to six-foot-four, so he's going to get decent bounce...as we know in England the ball still swings when it is 30, 40 or 50 overs old."

"To have someone that's got that swing bowling ability and a left-armer I think is something that the Indian team should definitely look out for on that tour."