Australia’s T20 World Cup 2026 disaster has created a whole lot of drama, and now the great Ricky Ponting has dropped a big retirement hint that has shocked fans. After Australia’s poor performance and early dismissals, Ponting openly predicted that major changes were coming to the T20 team.
Glenn Maxwell’s T20 future in serious doubt
But the biggest talking point was the five-time World Cup winner’s candid and bold prediction that Glenn Maxwell is unlikely to play till the 2028 T20 World Cup. T20 World Cup 2026 was a forgettable one for Maxwell. In three matches he scored only 62 runs and failed to take a single wicket.
The experienced all-rounder is known for his explosive batting and match-winning performances, but he was a huge disappointment in this event. Ponting feels that Maxwell’s T20 career is now reaching its final stages and he is unlikely to play in the next ICC event.
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Australia is all set to co-host the 2028 T20 World Cup with New Zealand and is also eyeing a possible spot at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Therefore, the team management is already thinking about the future and Ponting believes that some of the senior names may still be there.
Ricky Ponting says senior stars still in long-term plans
Speaking on the ICC review, the legendary Australian batsman believes that “Mitchell Marsh, Travis Head and Josh Inglis” will be in the T20I team over the next three or four years. Ponting also talked about how Steve Smith has been very vocal about playing in the Olympics. However, the great cricketer said, ‘Whether it happens or not is a different story.’
Ricky Ponting further said that Cameron Green, Nathan Ellis, Xavier Bartlett and Cooper Connolly are also future options. Ponting said, “Cameron Green will remain in the team, if indeed his form is good enough to remain in the team. I think that is another concern for Australia, certainly in Test match cricket and perhaps in T20 cricket, as we saw in this World Cup.”
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I don’t think I’ll be there: Ricky Ponting on Glenn Maxwell
Speaking about Glenn Maxwell, Ponting boldly said that the all-rounder is unlikely to be a part of Australia’s T20I squad until the 2028 T20 World Cup. He added, “I don’t think I’ll be there. I think it looks like his career is coming to an end.”
There will probably be question marks over Marcus Stoinis too, but these days he is mainly playing only T20 cricket tournaments around the world. He doesn’t play a lot of state cricket and obviously plays BBL, so with his all-round ability, he could be there.”
But Ricky Ponting was hopeful that Matthew Kuhnman would be there for the long term if Australia choose two spinners in future tournaments.
Australian great Ricky Ponting further added, “So, there will be some changes. Matthew Kuhnman is so young that if they decide to have two spinners in their lineup he will still be there. So, there might be some changes, but I think, I mean, we are still, 18 months away from that, two years away from that. So, let’s wait and see.”