Ricky Ponting hails India's all-rounders after Champions Trophy victory
What's the story
Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has lauded India's all-rounders - Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Hardik Pandya - for their phenomenal show in the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
The tournament was clinched by the Indian team, led by Rohit Sharma.
Ponting praised these players on The ICC Review, saying they were "outstanding" all through the tournament.
He also credited India's balanced squad for their success.
Here's more.
Strategic advantage
India's all-rounders: The secret to their success
Ponting highlighted the strategic advantage of having three all-rounders in the playing XI.
He said their presence made India's batting depth significantly better.
"They were a very well balanced side anyway," he said, referring to Jadeja, Patel, and Pandya as the key to this balance.
"The only thing you would probably say, they probably looked a little bit light on fast bowling, but as it turned out, they didn't need that," he noted.
Player spotlight
Axar Patel's transformation under Ricky Ponting
Notably, Ponting, who has worked with Axar Patel at Delhi Capitals, also praised the all-rounder's evolution in his batting prowess.
He lauded Patel's consistent bowling and match-winning contributions with the bat throughout the tournament.
"Axar Patel is the other one that I think needs a lot of credit for this tournament," Ponting said, emphasizing Patel's contribution to India's Champions Trophy triumph.
Winning streak
India's dominance in ICC events under Rohit Sharma
Since Rohit Sharma took charge as captain, India has been a force to reckon with in ICC events, winning 23 out of 24 matches in three tournaments in three years.
Under his captaincy, the team has taken a fearless approach to limited-overs cricket.
Even though they lost the 2023 World Cup, reaching finals in all four trophies shows how consistent a team they are.
After winning the Champions Trophy title, Sharma had said he was proud to lead such a successful and consistent team.
2025 CT
The all-rounders' numbers in Champions Trophy
Axar led the three all-rounders with 109 runs in five innings at 27.25, while he also bagged five scalps at 39.20.
According to ESPNcricinfo, Pandya finished with 99 runs in four innings at 24.75, alongside four scalps in five innings at 35.75.
Meanwhile, Jadeja managed 27 runs in three innings at 27, while also bagging five wickets in five innings at 36.60.