Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has joined the increasing list of experts who have criticized India’s selection calls for the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final at the Oval in London.
The Indian team-management sprung a big surprise before the game by deciding to drop spin spearhead Ravichandran Ashwin from the playing eleven. Speaking at toss, skipper Rohit Sharma admitted that it was a tough call but had to be taken for the team’s cause. India have included just one specialist opener – Ravindra Jadeja – in the playing eleven.
“We have four seamers and one spinner: Ravindra Jadeja. It has always been tough. He has been such a matchwinner for us for so many years. Leaving him out is not a great occasion but you have to do things needed for the team,” said Rohit after winning the toss and electing to bowl first.
Ricky Ponting on India’s Playing XI:
Speaking after India announced their playing eleven, Ricky Ponting opined that the Indian team-management have made a big mistake. The legendary skipper said that Team India have picked a bowling attack just for first innings of the game. Ponting pointed out that Ashwin would have troubled Australia’s left-hander dominated batting lineup.
“India have made a mistake of picking a bowling attack just for first innings of the game. Australia have many left-handers. Ashwin would trouble the left-handers more than Jadeja. I saw the grass, yes there was grass but the deeper I looked, it seemed dry to me,” Ponting said on-air on Star Sports.
Talking about the game, Australia were on 73 for 2 at lunch. After losing Usman Khawaja for a duck, David Warner and Marnus Labuschagne added 69 runs for the second wicket to steady the ship before Shardul Thakur dismissed Warner for 43.