Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting recently opened up on how cricket has evolved significantly in modern times where the teams broke the stereotypes over recent years as well.
Speaking to the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting shared how Asian teams, who are known for their spin attacks, have produced amazing fast bowlers. The veteran also emphasized how both India and Pakistan have been successful in creating a great pace attack. He explained:
“If you think about it now, Pakistan have probably had a fast bowling culture over the last 20–25 years, more so than the spinners. In their last 10 or 15 years in international cricket, India have produced high-quality fast bowling as well.
“When you used to go to the subcontinent, whether it was India, Pakistan or Sri Lanka, you’d be facing a lot of spin bowling and not a lot of fast bowling. That has changed dramatically over the last 30 or 35 years that I’ve been in and around the game.”
Notably, Team India’s current fast bowling team is known as one of the best in world cricket by fans and critics alike. Meanwhile, pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah is regarded as one of the best fast bowlers in the world as well. However, the new crop of seamers have done a stunning job across formats and have been consistent in the side securing monumental victories overseas as well.
“IPL and the CPL have played a huge part in the crossover of different cultures” –Â Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting further added how franchise-based T20 tournaments like the Indian Premier League (IPL) have helped several cricketers, breaking cultural barriers between players and coaches as well. Ponting added:
“Competitions like the IPL and the CPL have played a huge part in the crossover of different cultures and the understanding of different cultures in different countries. Also, when you think of players playing in those environments, they have also got coaches from different countries coaching in different tournaments as well.”
Notably, he has had a long-standing association with the IPL both as a player and as a coach as well. He played for Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) and Mumbai Indians (MI) from 2008 to 2013. Later, he served as the head coach of Delhi Capitals (DC) in this year’s cash-rich league and is likely to be at the helm of the franchise’s coach next season as well.
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