Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has spoken out on David Warner's recent form, conceding that he believes the 36-year-old should have retired after his double-century against South Africa during the Boxing Day Test.

Warner struggled in Australia's first test in India, making just two runs across the two innings, before being sent home due to injury in the second Test.

With his place in Australia's Ashes lineup now firmly in question, Ponting admitted while speaking on the ICC Review podcast that Warner missed the opportunity to have the perfect send-off in front of his home crowd at the SCG.

"Look, I was on radio a couple of days ago, back here in Australia, and I thought the absolute best time for Davey to retire, if he was thinking about it at all, was after the Sydney Test match here in Australia," Ponting said.
"He'd just played his 100th Test in Melbourne, and obviously got 200 in the first innings down there. And to bow out in front of his home crowd is obviously the way that every player would like to finish their careers.
"Who knows now that opportunity might not come around again for Davey, you know. That's nearly another 12 months away."
Despite his future in the Australian side under a cloud, Ponting said that he expects Warner to feature in the World Test Championship, scheduled for June, to prove his form for the Ashes series.
"I think they'll definitely want to play him in the World Test Championship match," Ponting said.
PERTH, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 18: Steve Smith and David Warner of Australia celebrate in the changerooms after Australia regained the Ashes during day five of the Third Test match during the 2017/18 Ashes Series between Australia and England at WACA on December 18, 2017 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
"They have got some really big decisions to make, leading into the Ashes as well. A bit like some of theย selection issuesย they hadย coming to India.
"They're probably going to have similar things to think about when they get to the UK because David's record in the UK is not as strong as it is in some other places around the world."
The Ashes series commences on June 16 at Edgbaston, with Ponting hoping that Warner can find some form and retire on his own terms.
"I think his career deserves to finish the way he wants it to," Ponting said.
"Sort of not to be dropped or tapped on the shoulder in the middle of an overseas tour and have his career end in that way. That's why I just hope he can find it within himself to score a lot of runs between now and next summer."
Australia's tour of India continues on Thursday, March 9 in the fourth and final Test, before the first of three ODI's begins on March 17 in Mumbai.