'Shubman Gill's bulldog when it counts’: Ricky Ponting hails India captain ahead of second ODI against Australia

Ricky Ponting hails Shubman Gill’s grit. (Photo: PTI)

Ricky Ponting praised Shubman Gill's leadership and claimed that when the team most needs him, the true fighter in him emerges. Prior to the England tour, Gill assumed the role of captain of the Test team after leading the Gujarat Titans in the IPL. As India tied the series 2-2, the 26-year-old played a strong captain role and amassed 754 runs in five Test matches, including four hundreds.

Following that, Gill succeeded Rohit Sharma as the ODI skipper. Ponting stated that he has been impressed with Gill as a captain, despite the fact that the first ODI against Australia in Perth didn't go as planned. The Australian great claimed on the ICC Review that Gill occasionally acted a little out of character but maintained his authority.

"I actually loved what he did with that team in the UK against a really good English side. There were certain moments where he was probably a little bit out of character. He did what he had to do to put his stamp on the team and really stand up for them. Little things that he did—like not coming off the ground in Manchester—I just think he made a strong impression. He asserted his authority on the team really quickly. And he led by example with the bat," Ponting said on ICC Review.

On the pitch, Gill is usually a pretty cool customer, but during the England tour, when the team most needed him, he displayed his combative side. Ponting claimed that he was impressed by the bulldog in Gill that emerged at that moment.

"When there was a critical moment, when he had to draw a line in the sand, he did that. That has not always been his way—he's normally pretty calm and has a cool demeanor on the field. But that real fighting, sort of bulldog came out when his team needed him the most. That's what I want to see from any player representing the country," said Ponting.

The second ODI of the series between India and Australia is scheduled on October 23 in Adelaide.