Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting on Monday backed Rahul Dravid as one of best candidates to coach the Indian cricket team.
“It’s not my decision to make and it depends on what BCCI are looking for. Do they want an Indian coach or an overseas oneIJ I don’t think BCCI will find many better candidates than someone like him. If he’s interested in doing the job, he will do a good job,” said Ponting here on Monday.
“He’s got a lot of knowledge, is very experienced and understands all three formats because he has worked in IPl. He will be a great candidate but it depends on what the BCCI thinks is the best fit for the Indian cricket team and also depends on what the captain wants. Whatever Virat (Kohli) wants around the Test team, I am sure the BCCI will listen to him.”
The Mumbai Indians coach spoke to the media after conducting a short coaching clinic for school children with his assistants Shane Bond and Jonty Rhodes, along with MI players Parthiv Patel and Krunal Pandya for the IPl team’s sponsors Videocon d2h.
‘Bumrah has skills for Test’
Australia’s two-time World Cup winning captain Ricky Ponting feels that young Mumbai Indians pacer Jasprit Bumrah is ready to play Test cricket as he possesses all the necessary skills to do well in the longest format of the game.
“If you look at the skills Bumrah has and the way he has come through over the last two years, then he is ready to play Test cricket. He’s got everything. He’s got an unusual action, got good pace and with the brand new ball can get some good movement in the air,” said Ponting.
Ponting felt that Gujarat bowler, who made his ODI debut earlier this season in Australia, was coming off an injury last year and the tour Down Under has improved him as a bowler.
“Over the last three months, starting with the Australia tour and then the WT20, he has been a stand-out performer and he has been a stand out bowler in IPl as well.
“A lot of times, he has bowled the tougher overs, an over in powerplay and then generally two in death. His skills with the slower ball, yorkers and bouncers are exactly where we wanted him to be,” Ponting further added.
He said Sunday’s game against DD, who were thrashed by 80 runs, at Vizag was MI’s best display so far this season.