Ricky Ponting vouches for KL Rahul’s selection in India’s World Cup squad

[{"selector":"#anim-350d8896-9448-44dd-b4da-2c693120f46f","keyframes":{"opacity":[0,1]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] [{"selector":"#anim-83acad2c-0518-4109-9cd7-f08b1cb031bb","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(100.00000%, 0px, 0)","translate3d(0px, 0px, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(0.2, 0.6, 0.0, 1)","fill":"both"}] Former Australia cricket captain Ricky Ponting has expressed his support for KL Rahul's selection in India's World Cup squad.

[{"selector":"#anim-8e5df580-98ee-41d5-83c3-8dff3570e082 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate3d(27.477589504769156%, 0, 0)","translate3d(0%, 0, 0)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"both"}] Rahul has received criticism for his recent performances across all formats of the game,

[{"selector":"#anim-0f8f98c8-ad74-49ec-abb0-dd0b56283c6a [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1.5)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] but Ponting believes India should keep him in the squad and also include left-handed batter Ishan Kishan.

Kishan's selection would provide a necessary option in the middle order and

[{"selector":"#anim-49026398-b82f-4fe2-923b-e3b1e100df14 [data-leaf-element=\"true\"]","keyframes":{"transform":["translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)","translate(0%, 0%) scale(1)"]},"delay":0,"duration":1200,"easing":"cubic-bezier(.3,0,.55,1)","fill":"forwards"}] Kishan’s selection would help India combat left-arm off-spin bowlers, who are becoming more common in limited-overs cricket.

Ponting believes India should select both Rahul and Kishan as their wicketkeepers for the World Cup and make a decision about their batting lineup accordingly.