In a surprising revelation, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has voiced his opinion on the Indian squad for the World Test Championship final against Australia, pointing out the absence of all-rounder Hardik Pandya as a significant omission.
Ponting, known for his astute cricketing insights, believes that Pandya’s inclusion could have had a decisive impact on the outcome of the highly anticipated match. Despite Pandya’s absence from Test cricket since 2018 due to fitness concerns, Ponting emphasized that the dynamic all-rounder had been consistently showcasing his bowling prowess for the Gujarat Titans in the recently concluded IPL.
Expressing his thoughts in a thought-provoking article, Ponting highlighted Pandya as an X-factor who could have added a crucial dimension to India’s campaign in the WTC final, set to commence on June 7 at The Oval.
Also Read: WTC Final 2023: Ricky Ponting Applauds Ajinkya Rahane’s Incredible IPL Performance
Pandya, who has already played 11 Tests, boasts an impressive record with 532 runs at an average of 31.29 and 17 wickets to his name. Additionally, his contributions in ODIs and T20Is have further solidified his reputation as a formidable all-rounder. With 1584 runs and 72 wickets in ODIs, and 1271 runs and 69 wickets in T20Is, Pandya has consistently proven his worth across formats.
While the Indian squad comprises renowned all-rounders such as Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Shardul Thakur, Ponting’s belief in Pandya’s unique skill set underscores the potential impact he could have had in the crucial encounter.
The Squads
Australia: Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Cameron Green, Marcus Harris, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Josh Inglis, Todd Murphy, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc, David Warner.
Reserves: Mitch Marsh, Matt Renshaw
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Ravichandran Ashwin, KS Bharat, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Virat Kohli, Ishan Kishan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Axar Patel, Ajinkya Rahane, Mohammad Shami, Mohammad Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Jaydev Unadakt, Umesh Yadav.
Reserves: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Mukesh Kumar, Suryakumar Yadav
As cricket fans eagerly await the WTC final, Ponting’s perspective sheds light on the critical role that all-rounders play in shaping the fortunes of a team. Pandya’s absence from the Indian squad has sparked conversations and debate, leaving enthusiasts pondering what might have been in the ultimate clash of Test cricket supremacy.