“He needs to take his game to another level if India are going to win this game”: Ponting on Star Indian Player

In the ICC World Test Championship Final, India’s batting veterans may hold the key to their chances, but Ricky Ponting has also given one of their young guns the go-ahead.

According to Ponting, Cheteshwar Pujara has more Test runs and tonnes against Australia than any other player and can use this record to be a key player in the ICC World Test Championship Final.

The dependable No. 3 batter has previously scored 2033 runs and five centuries in 24 Test matches versus Australia. He will now be essential to India’s chances when the two teams square off in the WTC Final beginning on June 7.

With his recent resurgence and assured 186 in the fourth Test against Australia in March, Virat Kohli is viewed as the other crucial component to India’s aspirations in the decider.

Ricky Ponting talks about Indian batters

“The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they’ll be talking about Pujara. They’re the two,” Ponting said on The ICC Review.

“Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past, and in Australia, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they’ll have to get him early.

“They also know that Virat over the last few weeks is probably just about back to his absolute best, albeit in T20 cricket.

“He told me that the feeling he’s getting right now is that he’s almost back to his best, and that’s an ominous warning for the Australians going into a one-off game.”

Ponting endorsed another opener to have an impact on the outcome of the WTC Final at The Oval while also mentioning skipper Rohit Sharma as a batter that India will need. 

In the recent four-match battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Shubman Gill was chosen for the final two Test matches. With a strong 128 in Ahmedabad, he furthered his case for a seat in the WTC Final. The 23-year-old dazzled with 259 runs at an average of 51.8 in his Test debut in 2020 during India’s tour of Australia, but he has yet to establish a reliable spot at the top of the order. Gill may get an opportunity now that KL Rahul has been injured and will not play in the WTC Final.

Ponting praises Gill

“He looks like a terrific young guy,” Ponting said. 

“He’s got that bit of attitude about him as well. He’s got a bit of swagger. He has some serious class. 

“That sort of front foot pull shot that he plays against the fast bowlers will be a shot that he’ll probably need against this Australian attack.”

Talks about the pace attack

The Oval will see more use of India’s pacers than the recent home Test series against Australia, where Mohammed Shami bowled 69.1 overs to be the busiest quick.

India’s pace threat is diminished by lingering Jasprit Bumrah injury concerns, but Ponting thinks Shami will need to perform at his peak if they want to equal Australia’s celebrated attack.

“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. 

“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. 

“They know the skillset he’s got and how dangerous he can be. It’s going to have to be him.”

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