One of the simplest tasks is to select India’s two lead seamers for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. It’s a foregone conclusion that Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj will be India’s frontline pacers for the World T20 final against Australia, which is set to take place on June 7 at The Oval in London.
Shami will undoubtedly lead the seam attack in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. Given that the match will be played in English conditions, where Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin may not be as effective, some may argue that Shami is set to be the spearhead of India’s bowling attack rather than just the pace battery.
When asked about India’s bowling attack for the World T20 final, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed similar sentiments. Ponting believes Shami must elevate his game and take the lead if India is to win their first ICC title since the Champions Trophy in 2013.
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“I think he has to step up or try and take his game to another level if India are going to win this game,” Ponting said to ICC.
“When you talk to the Australian batters as well, they understand how good Shami is whether it’s new ball or old ball, whether it’s in Australia or India,” the Former Australian cricketer said.
“They know the skillset he’s got and how dangerous he can be. It’s going to have to be him,” Ponting concluded.