IND vs AUS: Ricky Ponting Urges Smith And Labuschagne To Embrace Assertiveness Ahead of Adelaide Test

Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and a distinguished figure in the ICC Hall of Fame, has offered crucial guidance to Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, who have been facing difficulties at the crease.

Ponting emphasized the importance of adopting a more assertive approach in their game, particularly in light of the upcoming pink-ball Test in Adelaide against India. He pointed out that focusing on their strengths and maintaining a positive mindset could be instrumental for the pair to regain their form.

Drawing inspiration from Virat Kohli's approach to batting, Ponting highlighted how the Indian star batsman shifted focus towards leveraging his strengths rather than countering the opposition.

"He (Virat Kohli) got away from trying to combat the opposition and focused on his strengths. That is what Marnus and (Steve) Smith need to do - find their own way and show great intent," Ponting stated, underscoring the need for Smith and Labuschagne to take note of Kohli's strategies for success.

The Adelaide Test, featuring the pink ball, represents a significant opportunity for Australia to bounce back. Ponting believes that by altering their mindset and prioritizing run-scoring, the Australian batters could unlock their potential.

"Think about scoring runs first and not think about getting out first. That is always a challenge for a batter, especially when you are not in great form. There is only one way to change it and that is to be positive and show great intent," he advised.

Marnus Labuschagne, in particular, has been under intense scrutiny due to his lack of form. His performance in the Perth Test against India was notably poor, with scores of just two and three in the first and second innings, respectively.

This has extended a dismal run for Labuschagne, who has not scored a century since July last year against England. Over 13 ICC World Test Championship (2023-25) matches, he has mustered only 658 runs at an average of 27.41, highlighting a concerning dip in performance.

Steve Smith, another pivotal figure in the Australian lineup, has also experienced a decline. Having been a consistent performer in the mid to late 2010s, Smith's recent run has been less impressive.

In the current WTC cycle, he has scored 755 runs in 13 Tests at an average of 32.82. Since his last Test century against England in the Ashes last year, Smith's form has waned, with an average of just 31.00 in 11 matches. Both batsmen have registered subpar averages this year, with Labuschagne at 24.50 and Smith at 25.55 in six Tests.

As the second Test in Adelaide commences on December 6, the advice from Ponting could be the catalyst for Smith and Labuschagne to turn their fortunes around. Their ability to heed this guidance and implement it on the field could play a crucial role in Australia's performance against India.