Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes that experienced Indian batters Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar will be the key to the team’s success in the World Test Championship final against Australia in England conditions and reckons that Pujara has been a thorn in the past for Australia in both home and away series.
Team India will be in search of their first ICC trophy since winning the Champions Trophy in 2013 under MS Dhoni and the Indian stalwarts Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara would like to put a match-winning performance for their side in the high-stakes final.
Speaking on ICC, Cricketer-turner-commentator Ricky Ponting believes that Australian team management would definitely discuss Kohli and Pujara in particular, as they have done exceptionally well against the Baggy Green as they well aware to play according to the conditions
“The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they’ll be talking about Pujara. They’re the two, Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past, and in Australia, this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they’ll have to get him early,” Ricky Ponting said.
Ricky Ponting feels that Virat Kohli’s form in recent times would be a worrying factor for the Aussies players and management, as he did brilliantly for Royal Challengers Bangalore in IPL 2023, and revealed that the former Indian skipper has been getting to his usual best in recent times.
“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.”
Virat Kohli has scored back-to-back centuries in the IPL 2023 to finish his season with an impressive score of 639 runs from 14 matches. The 34-year-old has been unstoppable since he recovered his form starting in Asia Cup 2022, In the BGT 2023, The former Indian skipper scored a Test century after almost a gap of three years and five months.
Shubman Gill Got That Bit Of Attitude About Him As Well – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting hailed the Indian youngster Shubman Gill for putting up a fine performance for the Indian team across all three formats and reckons that the Gujarat Titans opener has got some attitude about his game and feels that his front foot pull shot would be key against the Australian fast bowling attack.
“He looks like a terrific young guy, 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,” Ricky Ponting added.
Shubman Gill is expected to vital role alongside Indian skipper Rohit Sharma at the top of the order, as it would set up the tone for the Indian team in the initial overs of the game. The young Indian opener has been in the form of life since the start of the 2023 season and will look to continue his fine form against Australia in the WTC final.