Melbourne: Regarded as one of the most successful Australian skippers, Ricky Ponting said Tuesday captaincy is about 60 per cent off the field preparations and 40 per cent on the pitch.
Ponting made the comment in reference to India captain Virat Kohli’s leadership skills in the context of India’s recently-concluded Test tour of England, which the visitors lost 1-4.
“I didn’t watch every single ball of the Test series. For me what happens off the field is more important,” the former Australia captain told this agency during an interaction at the MCG here.
“On the field part like bowling changes or field placement is highly overrated. It is only about 30 or 40 per cent and the rest of the preparations take place behind closed doors before a match,” he added.
In the aftermath of the disastrous England series, the focus now has shifted to India’s upcoming tour of Australia and Ponting said the visitors’ success would largely depend on how well they adapt to the conditions Down Under.
“It’s about adapting to the conditions here. Most of the visiting teams find it difficult to win here and that’s the way Test cricket has been for long time in Australia which South Africa have also experienced. Similarly we find it difficult to win in India and South Africa,” pointed out Ponting.
“We know in last 50 years India have struggled to win Test series away from home. For any team travelling to UK playing against a team as good as England, it is going to be difficult,” added the man who is popularly known as Punter.
India will tour Australia November 2018 to January 2019. They will play four Tests, three ODIs and three T20 matches.
“For the upcoming series as far as India are concerned a lot will depend upon the wickets. If the ball seams a lot they will find it difficult in Australia. But if the wickets are flat like we saw some last year then it can bring India right into the contest,” Ponting said.
“We have seen how Indian batsmen have struggled against quality swing bowling in England. Similarly we have struggled against spin in sub-continent,” Ponting added.
