Ricky Ponting urges Indian team management to 'make life as easy as possible' for Virat Kohli

There is a threat looming over Virat Kohli’s place in the Indian squad for the T20 World Cup 2022. The batter is going through a lean phase with the bat for almost three years now. Despite the poor form, Kohli is being given a long rope by the selectors and the team management.

The extra chances being given to Kohli are not going down well with many former cricketers. Amidst all the criticism, former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has come out in support of the batting maestro.

Also Read: Syed Kirmani speaks on Virat Kohli’s T20 World Cup chances

Ponting backs Kohli to play the T20 World Cup

Ponting warned India against dropping the 33-year-old for the marquee ICC event.

"I think if I was an opposition captain or an opposition player, I will be fearing playing an Indian team that has Virat Kohli in it, more than I would be one that doesn’t have him in it.

"I know there have been some challenges for him, it’s been a difficult time. But somehow, the best (players) find a way to rebound and respond, and it’s only a matter of time before Virat does that," Ponting said while speaking with Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review.

The former Australian skipper is not in the favor of changing Kohli’s batting position

Further, Ponting pointed out that there will be concerns regarding the contributions of the former Indian skipper. However, he advised the Indian management to persist with the batter as they will be reaping a lot of benefits once he returns to form. 

The veteran also stressed on the importance of giving confidence to Kohli. Ponting believes that the Indian team should not experiment with the batter’s position and should give him a comfortable setup to get back to the form.

"If I was India, I will keep pushing with him, because I know the upside. If they actually get him back confident and playing as well as he can, that upside is better than most. 

“If I was a captain or a coach around the Indian setup, I will be making life as easy as possible for him to feel as comfortable as possible. Moving him around will make him feel that people are worried about him, and he will be more unsettled,” Ponting concluded.