'They don't have the aura': Ricky Ponting's blunt take after Australia's shock T20 World Cup 2026 exit

Australia, who enter every ICC tournament as one of the undisputed contenders to win the title, suffered a rare elimination from the group stage of the T20 World Cup 2026. Considering the injuries immensely deteriorated the team's strength by taking out starters Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Marsh's side was bound to encounter problems, but the legacy they hold, cricket fans still expected the 2021 champions to overcome the strain and go deep into the tournament. In the end, all it took was an abysmal collapse against Zimbabwe and then a standout knock from Sri Lanka's Pathum Nissanka to knock the Aussies out of the marquee tournament.

Australia will face Oman in their final group fixture on Friday, February 20, and following that will take the long flight back home. In the wake of Australia's elimination, the legendary captain of the team, Ricky Ponting, has expressed his views on the shocking turn of events and laid out what was lacking in the unit this time.

According to Ponting, this team did not possess the quality to intimidate the opposition as the Australian teams of the past were gifted with.

"You look at that Australian team on paper, it just doesn't look to have that sort of aura around it that a lot of other Australian teams have going into ICC events and World Cups," Ponting said.

"You need to have your best players and your most experienced players standing up and winning big moments for you in these tournaments if you want to go ahead and win and Australia haven't had that." The former skipper pointed to underwhelming returns from the top order, including Cameron Green at No.3 and Tim David at No.4 in the latter matches, as well as a collapse against Sri Lanka where Australia lost six wickets for 20 runs in the closing overs.

Australia failed to qualify for the Super 8s after suffering a shock 23-run defeat to the Zimbabwe, a result Ponting felt effectively ended their campaign.

"It's been a really poor campaign, it has to be said. Just losing to Zimbabwe like they did, that's going to be the game that they're going to think back and think like that's our World Cup gone, there and then," said Ponting.

"I felt Sri Lanka would be difficult to beat at home and that's certainly the way it turned out. They played really well against Australia. That was an amazing run chase when you look at it. That sort of score is never an easy one to chase down.

Ponting said the former players were disappointed but not critical of the current group.

"As a past player, we certainly don't sit back and bash the current players or talk about them in a negative way when they don't win. We just want to see our team do well. So, unfortunately, that hasn't happened over the last couple of weeks. And that's something that group of players has to live with." Ponting also dismissed suggestions that Australia do not prioritise the T20 World Cup, insisting that winning ICC titles remains the pinnacle.