Ricky Ponting, former Australia captain, believes that Team India missed an opportunity by not including all-rounder Hardik Pandya in their squad for the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against Australia. The highly anticipated second edition of the WTC final is scheduled to take place at The Oval in London. The final is going to take place from June 7 to 11. Further, Australia is making their first appearance in the final. India had previously suffered defeat against New Zealand in the inaugural edition held in 2021.
Ponting asserts that Hardik’s exceptional all-around skills could have made a significant impact in the crucial one-off match against Australia. Despite not featuring in a Test match since 2018 due to ongoing fitness concerns, the 29-year-old all-rounder showcased his bowling abilities in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Australian cricketer emphasizes that Pandya’s bowling exploits in the IPL indicated his potential to contribute effectively in the WTC final.
Hence, in Ponting’s viewpoint, the inclusion of Hardik Pandya could have been a decisive factor for India in their pursuit of WTC glory against Australia.
Pandya could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game: Ponting
“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,”
Ponting said.
“I know as well that 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 added.
Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach suggests that Hardik Pandya could have been the game-changer for India in the WTC final. Given his versatile skills in batting and bowling. So, Pandya’s inclusion as the X-factor in a one-off game. He could have made a significant difference between the two teams. Furthermore, the 29-year-old all-rounder has played 11 Tests for India. Scoring 532 runs at an average of 31.29, including a century and four fifties. He has also taken 17 wickets at an economy rate of 3.38.
Follow us on Twitter for more!
