Ricky Ponting talks about X factor player that could make difference for India in Test Championship final
Ricky Ponting also talked about India's chances in the Test Championship final.
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May 31, 2023 1:07 pm
Ricky Ponting (Source: Twitter)
With the conclusion of the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023, the focus will now move to the Test Championship final for India. India have announced their squad for the marque clash, and young left-handed batter Yashasvi Jaiswal has been named as a standby for Ruturaj Gaikwad. Ricky Ponting feels that India missed a trick by not including allrounder Hardik Pandya for the final as the Indian could contribute in all dimensions. Pandya also led Gujarat Titans (GT) to their second successive IPL final in 2023.
Pandya made a grand return to white-ball cricket after a brief hiatus due to injury. Ponting felt that India would have used an in-form Pandya and his expertise for the big match against Australia. The India all-rounder has not been part of the Test team since 2018 and he took a break from the format to sort out his back injuries. Ponting elaborated on the same topic on the Cricket Governing Body Review show.
He could have been included for the one-off game- Ricky Ponting on Hardik Pandya
“The other really interesting thing that I thought about the other day for India in this game is how valuable someone like Hardik Pandya could be in a one-off Test match,” “I know he is on record saying that the Test match game is probably a little bit hard on his body. But for a one-off game… he’s been bowling every game through this IPL and he’s bowling quick. Ponting said.
“He could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game, come in and see what he can do with bat and ball. He could be the difference between the two teams.” Ponting added. When it comes to Pandya in Test matches, he has only played 11 of them. Pandya has made 532 runs at an average of 31.29. He has scored a ton against Sri Lanka in Sri Lanka. The all-rounder also has a five-wicket haul against England.
The Test Championship final will be held at the Oval in England. India will be playing their second Test Championship final. Australia have topped the Test Championship table and will play the summit clash. The duke ball will be used for the game as the venue is situated in neutral territory.
