India vs England: Ricky Ponting Suggests Future Stars Former cricketer Ricky Ponting believes India can replace veterans like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma with emerging talents

As Indian cricket evolves in the face of an ever-changing international landscape, former Australian captain and cricket legend Ricky Ponting has offered his insights into the future of the Indian team. With seasoned campaigners like Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma approaching the twilight of their illustrious careers, Ponting has suggested a crop of young stars poised to take the baton forward.

Ponting's Perspective on Indian Transition

In a recent interview with a leading sports network, Ricky Ponting weighed in on India’s bench strength, highlighting the nation’s abundant cricketing talent.

“India has always had a massive pool of cricketing talent, and the current generation is no different. With Kohli and Rohit having carried the team for over a decade, it’s time to start looking at the future. Players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, Shubman Gill, and Ruturaj Gaikwad are more than capable of stepping up,” Ponting said.

Ponting praised India's domestic structure, including the IPL, for preparing players to face international challenges early in their careers. His endorsement comes ahead of the highly anticipated India vs England Test series, where some of these youngsters are expected to play pivotal roles.

India’s Next Generation of Cricketing Icons

With Kohli and Rohit sitting out of several recent tours and rumored to be considering formats selectively, attention has naturally turned to a younger brigade.

• Shubman Gill, already a Test double centurion, is widely viewed as Kohli’s spiritual successor. His poise, timing, and aggressive style have drawn comparisons to the greats.

• Yashasvi Jaiswal, the left-handed opener, has been prolific across all formats, particularly in Tests where his bold strokeplay and mental fortitude have impressed veterans.

• Ruturaj Gaikwad has shown his mettle in white-ball cricket and is being nurtured as a potential top-order anchor in ODIs and T20Is.

• Tilak Varma and Rinku Singh are other emerging names who bring explosive batting options and are considered key to India’s white-ball strategy moving forward.

Bowling has also seen a generational change, with Arshdeep Singh, Mukesh Kumar, and Prasidh Krishna showcasing their potential alongside established stars like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.

Market Context: The Business of Cricket and Youth Power

India’s cricketing ecosystem is deeply tied to its sporting economy, and the emergence of young stars significantly impacts branding, viewership, and investment patterns. Analysts from Elara Capital note that, “As Kohli and Rohit near retirement or take more selective roles, sponsors are already diversifying brand ambassadorships to emerging players. This marks a subtle shift in commercial cricket from legacy icons to Gen-Z athletes.”

IPL franchises too are investing heavily in youth. The recent auctions saw a bidding frenzy for players like Riyan Parag and Abhishek Sharma, underlining market faith in India’s next-gen talent.

England Series: A Crucial Litmus Test

The upcoming India vs England series will be pivotal in testing the readiness of these young players. With England expected to field a full-strength side under Ben Stokes, India might rest senior players intermittently, offering a platform for the likes of Sarfaraz Khan, Rajat Patidar, and Washington Sundar to cement their places.

Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle remarked, “Transition is inevitable. What matters is how seamless it is. The good news is that India’s emerging players aren’t raw talents — they’ve been battle-tested in the IPL and the domestic grind.”

Investor Outlook: Stakeholders Welcome Strategic Transition

From an investor standpoint, the Indian team’s changing guard is viewed as a strategic evolution rather than a crisis. Sponsorship agencies like JSW Sports and talent managers are already scouting and signing multi-year deals with young players, predicting their long-term marketability.

“Fans relate to performance and relatability. This generation of players is social-media savvy, performance-oriented, and emotionally intelligent,” said Prakash Jha, Head of Sports Marketing at a top Indian firm. “From an ROI lens, these stars are the next goldmine.”

Broadcasters like Star Sports and JioCinema have already started building content narratives around the new faces, increasing their visibility ahead of marquee events such as the 2026 ICC T20 World Cup and the next World Test Championship cycle.

Looking Ahead: Can the Newcomers Fill Big Shoes?

While Kohli and Rohit remain irreplaceable in spirit and legacy, their successors are not expected to mimic but rather innovate. Cricket, like any sport, thrives on reinvention. India appears ready for its next chapter.

Ricky Ponting summed it up aptly:

“Replacing legends is never easy, but India has the depth, the infrastructure, and now the experience in these youngsters. I’m excited to watch this new chapter unfold.”

As India takes on England in what is likely to be a fiercely contested series, all eyes will be on the future stars Ponting has bet on — not just to win matches, but to carry forward a legacy.