Ponting surprised by Rohit Sharma’s decision to skip crucial Sydney Test
Ponting did not explicitly say it, but he hinted that this could mark the end of Rohit’s Test career.
“You’d think it’s probably a long way back for Rohit Sharma now in this format of the game,” Ponting observed. “India don’t play a Test match, I believe, until the middle or late June, which is a long way away when you’re sort of coming to the back end of your career.”
“I think he’s been a terrific player for India so with those sort of guys, you wish them all the best and hope to see them back out there again. But as I said, I think it will be a long—and probably difficult—road back for him.”
Ponting believes Kohli’s catch was clean
Ponting also weighed in on the controversial catch involving Virat Kohli. The Indian star edged a length delivery from Scott Boland to second slip, where Steve Smith dived low to his right to grab the ball. Smith then flicked it upward towards gully, where Marnus Labuschagne completed the catch.
However, the decision was referred to the TV umpire, who eventually ruled Kohli not out.
“I was in the back of the (commentary) box as it happened, and from what I saw, and what I believe to be the interpretation of the rules, that seemed to be out to me,” Ponting said.
“The ball may have touched the ground. It may not have touched the ground, but the fact that his right index finger was still underneath the ball, I thought it was a clear catch.”
The incident occurred in the eighth over, on the first ball Kohli faced. Ponting admitted the limited angles available did not help.
“It might be one of those that depends which dressing room he’s (Kohli) sitting in as well. Every Indian fan and Indian player will say that’s not out as it clearly touched the ground, but you could tell by the reaction of the Australians when it happened, and even when they saw the replay on the big screen, that they were all pretty confident that it was out. I’m sure over the course of this Test match we’ll talk about it a whole lot more,” Ponting said.