Ricky Ponting says India missed Mohammed Shami on BGT

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting believes Mohammed Shami’s absence in the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy cost India a crucial lead in the series.

Reflecting on India’s 1-3 loss to Australia, Ponting shared his thoughts on The ICC Review. He suggested that Shami’s experience and skills could have made a significant difference in a closely contested series.

Ponting questions Shami’s absence

Ponting expressed surprise at Shami not being called up after the series was tied 1-1. Shami could have proven to be the perfect partner for the in-form Jasprit Bumrah.

“I was very surprised when he (Shami) didn’t fly out even halfway through the series, after two Test matches,” Ponting said. “If Shami, even if he wasn’t fully fit, had to bowl fewer overs in a day, you had a backup option to help him. “I think he could have made a difference.”

Ponting also highlighted how crucial Shami is to India’s pace attack. He felt that the trio of Shami, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj could have changed the outcome of the series.

Shastri echoes Ponting’s thoughts

Former India coach Ravi Shastri backed Ponting’s view and emphasized Shami’s importance in high-pressure games. Shastri noted that Shami’s presence alongside Bumrah could have brought balance to India’s bowling attack.

“It was very tight at 1-1 before Melbourne. You just needed that experience and support,” Shastri said. “For all you know, he may have raised the bar too. “There would have been two guys there: Bumrah and Shami.”

Shastri compared the situation to Australia’s use of Pat Cummins and Scott Boland. He explained that having an experienced pacer like Shami would have eased the pressure on India’s younger bowlers.

Shami’s experience could have made a difference

Ponting and Shastri agreed that Shami’s absence left a void in the Indian bowling unit. While Mohammed Siraj showed determination, they felt the team needed someone with Shami’s experience to step up at critical moments.

“As much as Siraj tried, Shami’s experience was needed there,” Shastri added. “He knows how to handle those situations.”

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The hypothetical scenario

Ponting also recalled his earlier prediction that Australia would win the series 3-1, citing Shami’s absence as a key factor. He maintained that with Shami in the lineup, India could have put more pressure on Australia in the last two Tests.

“When you asked me at the beginning what I thought the result would be, I said 3-1 in Australia because Shami wasn’t there. That’s how important I felt he was to India,” Ponting reiterated.

Shami’s last Test for India was the World Test Championship final against Australia in June 2023 at The Oval.

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