'Absolute fact': Kevin Pietersen shares Ricky Ponting’s old quote; fans wonder whether he is taking a dig at India’s batters ahead of BGT 2024/25

Former England cricketer Kevin Pietersen recently shared an old quote of ex-Australian captain Ricky Ponting on X regarding the statistics required by batters to make it to the Test team, claiming it an absolute fact.

During an interview in 2011, Ponting had stated that a batter averaging 35 shouldn't be playing for the national side and instead should be involved in another sport. The Tasmanian said:

"Good state players these days are averaging 35; if you were averaging 35 when I was playing, your dad would go and buy you a basketball or a footy and tell you to play that."

With the likes of Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, KL Rahul delivering inconsistent performances of late, especially with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy looming, a few fans wondered whether the 44-year-old meant it for the Indian batters. Here are some reactions from X:

"hahaha.. is that pointed towards indian seniors performace in recent series ;) :D," one fan wondered.

"you talking about them ;) :D," was another fan reply.

India's 3-0 series loss at home to New Zealand has sent shockwaves throughout the cricketing fraternity. With Kohli and Rohit especially underperforming, fans have questioned their place in the side.

"When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it for hours and hours" - Kevin Pietersen

In another tweet, Pietersen has criticized modern-day batters' approach towards Test cricket as they look at it like a 'smackers game'. He also advised players to practise for hours for playing spin. Pietersen wrote:

"No one should be surprised by the lack of batting application and technique in Test Match cricket. Cricket is a ‘smackers’ game now and there is a disintegration of Test Match batting skill in the game. When it comes to playing spin, the only way, spend time playing against it for hours and hours and hours. There’s no quick remedy!"

India face a litmus test as they next tour Australia for a five-Test rubber, beginning on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.