WTC Final 2023: Ricky Ponting – Legendary Australia cricketer Ricky Ponting has chosen to go with Rohit Sharma as the opener along with Usman Khawaja for WTC Final combined playing XI for IND vs AUS Clash. Surprisingly, Ponting has omitted Shubman Gill from the list stating experience matters in the ICC knockout game. Not only Gill, but the former Australia captain has also left behind Cheteshwar Pujara and picked Labuschagne at the crucial number three spot. Follow WTC Final 2023 Live Updates with InsideSport.IN.
Rohit will not open but also captain the combined WTC playing XI. Ponting reckons the India skipper has vast leadership experience over Australia counterpart Pat Cummins, and Rohit can handle crunch situations well.
“I’ll start with Usman Khawaja. His last couple of years, whether it has been in Australia or away, have been outstanding at the top of the order,” Ponting said on The ICC Review podcast.
“Almost since he’s been picked back in the Australian team, he hasn’t put a foot wrong. The older he is getting, the better he is getting.
“I’m going left-hand-right hand, so I’ll go for Rohit Sharma as the other opener. He’s not just entirely form-based either. I wanted him to be captain of the side.
Also Read: No Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma for IND vs AFG series; BCCI plans to send second string Indian Team
WTC Final 2023: Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey, Ponting picks middle and lower middle order batters
Ponting stated picking number three and four were easy as he opted to go with Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Both batters are the respective top run scorers for their side and are the key wickets to the opposition teams.
“Pretty hard to go past the next couple I’ve got in the batting line-up, which are Virat Kohli and Steve Smith,” Ponting said.
“If you talk about great players of the last decade, both of these guys will be right at the top of anyone’s list.
“Both with exceptional Test records and both make a lot of hundreds.
The former Australia captain has opted to with Jadeja as the all-rounder and Alex Carey as the wicketkeeper batter. Ponting opines it is hard to look past Jadeja due to his impact with both bat and ball in hand.
“What I’ve seen with Ravi Jadeja the last two or three years in Test cricket is how much his batting has improved, and he can easily hold down a number six or number seven spot,” Ponting said.
WTC Final: Cummins, Shami, and Starc, Ponting picks his pacers for WTC combined playing XI
For the pacers, Ponting went with Cummins, Starc, and Shami. The trio have been exceptional in Test cricket, picking wickets in any conditions. Starc offers a left-arm angle and will bring the ball into the right-handers.
While Shami and Cummins will offer seam and swing movement upfront.
“Pat Cummins, you’ve got to have in any Test team that you’re picking,” Ponting stated.
“Mitchell Starc’s last 12 months, I think have probably been some of the best that he’s actually had in Test cricket.
“I know we’re picking a Test team here, and Shami’s Test record the last couple of years has been outstanding, but some of his bowling over the last few weeks in the IPL has also been absolutely unbelievable,” Ponting said.
Ricky Ponting’s combined India-Australia Test XI: Rohit Sharma (c), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Virat Kohli, Steve Smith, Ravindra Jadeja, Alex Carey (wk), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Mohammad Shami
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