Ponting's Private Message to Dravid: 'Some Individuals Struggle to Navigate Their Path'
8 days ago | 5 Views
Many regard Ricky Ponting as the ultimate master in cricket. As a champion batsman and a formidable captain, Ponting dominated the sport throughout his playing career. Even post-retirement, he remained influential by taking on various coaching roles and achieving notable success. Currently, as the head coach of the Punjab Kings, Ponting continues to contribute to the sport that shaped his identity and provided him with numerous opportunities. While the Delhi Capitals may have faced challenges in adapting to Ponting's approach, the Punjab Kings appear to have thrived under his guidance, as evidenced by their two victories in three matches.
Like any exceptional cricketer, Ponting experienced both triumphs and setbacks throughout his career. He vividly recalls the difficult period faced by India's Rahul Dravid. Both players were among the finest No. 3 batsmen of their time, frequently competing against each other. Notably, during the iconic 2003 Adelaide Test, which Sourav Ganguly's team won, both Dravid and Ponting achieved double centuries.
Ponting reminisced about a conversation he had with Dravid during a challenging series in Australia. Although Ponting did not specify which tour he was referring to, it is likely the 2007/08 series, where Dravid scored 237 runs across four Tests, averaging 33.85.
"We could all see he was struggling, and the media scrutiny was taking its toll on him. Rahul and I have always had a good rapport. We were intense competitors, both serving as No. 3 batsmen for our respective countries for many years. For players of that caliber, their talent and quality never truly disappear; they may just become obscured by various pressures, making it difficult for some to navigate out of those tough situations," Ponting shared in an interview with The Indian Express.
“I simply spoke to him and said, 'Forget about the external noise, trust in yourself, and return to the fundamentals that have made you successful. If you concentrate on that and disregard the minor distractions, I am confident you can conclude your career on a high note.' That was the extent of our conversation. He took that advice to heart, and the results were evident."
Why Dravid won't share the save advice with Virat Kohli, Rohi sharma
Although this may be the type of encouragement any struggling batsman would appreciate, Ponting expresses hesitance about conveying it to two of India's premier batting icons, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Despite Kohli and Rohit remaining formidable competitors in One Day Internationals, both have encountered significant challenges in red-ball cricket over the past year. Nonetheless, focusing on the positives, Ponting elaborated on why Rohit and Kohli continue to excel, noting that while they may find Test matches less comfortable, he would not adopt the same approach with them as he did with Dravid.
"You cannot dismiss quality players. They are champions for a reason and always manage to find a way to succeed. Over the past couple of years, Virat has demonstrated this ability to recover from difficult situations. He is an exceptional player, and Rohit exhibits similar qualities. Test cricket is currently presenting more challenges for them. Rohit has made it clear that he remains committed to the 50-over format. Virat is the finest white-ball player I have ever witnessed. I will never count those players out," Ponting remarked.
"Whether I will send them the same message I shared with Rahul Dravid at the beginning of an IPL season is another matter (smiles). However, I thoroughly enjoy watching them compete in international cricket, and I hope they continue to play for many more years."
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