Ricky Ponting gave advice to Team India: Former Australia captain and veteran batsman of his era Ricky Ponting has given great advice to Team India before the final of the World Test Championship 2023. Ponting has asked India to include both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the team.
Former Australia captain Ponting believes that Jadeja’s talent lies more with the bat than with the ball. Hence the inclusion of his partner Ashwin in the WTC final could be crucial.
Ricky Ponting said, “I really think they will pick Jadeja and Ashwin. Jadeja can bat at number 6. His batting has improved so much that he can be picked as a batsman who Can do some bowling if needed.”
During India’s home series against Australia earlier this year, Ashwin showed his dominance by taking a total of 25 wickets. Although Jadeja and Ashwin were bowling on a spin pitch, it is noteworthy that Ashwin has shown his ability to excel in different conditions, taking 61 wickets in 13 Tests, the third highest in the current WTC cycle.
There is no doubt that Ashwin is a more skilful and better Test bowler than Jadeja. Ponting said, “But if Jadeja maintains that batting position, and if the game goes into the fifth day and the pitch starts turning, then you have a second spin bowling option.”
Jadeja can mainly bat at number 6 in the ICC World Test Championship final. Earlier this year, India retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by winning the series 2-1 over Australia, in which this Indian spin duo had a significant contribution.
The last time India toured England in 2021-22, Jadeja was preferred in all five Test matches. The star all-rounder did not make much impact with the ball in that series. He could only take six wickets at an average of 56.16. But he did wonders in batting and scored 287 runs, which included a century.
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