With the World Test Championship (WTC) final (2023) just around the horizon, both India and Australia will be preparing for the highly anticipated clash. The Test match is set to begin on June 7 at The Oval in London.
With the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and many others fit and ready to go, it’s possible that Team India will put up an excellent batting display against the Pat Cummins-led side.
In his opinion, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting identified the main characteristics of team India that might lead to a spectacular win versus Australia in the WTC final.
Ponting stated that Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli’s performances may be crucial.
“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, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they’ll have to get him early,”
Ponting said in the ICC review.
“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,”
he added.
Furthermore, the 48-year-old lauded renowned Indian batter Shubman Gill’s recent efforts. The 23-year-old played the final two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, and with KL Rahul out due to injury, Gill’s turn may have come.
“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,”
Ponting said.
For more Sports updates please follow us on Twitter
