‘He Can Hold Down There’ – Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting makes his pick between Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in India’s playing XI for Test Championship final against Australia

Ahead of the Test Championship finals, the Indian team has started practicing at the Oval Cricket Ground in London. Apart from players participating in the finals of Indian Premier League 2023, other players of the Indian squad has reached London. Meanwhile, fans and cricket pundits have started making predictions about the prestigious game.

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting made his predictions while analyzing the Indian squad in a cricket show. Ponting believes that Indian Team Management might play both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin in the crucial match considering the spin-playing ability of Australian batters. He also said that the inclusion of Ishan Kishan will help India to pitch a left-handed batter.

“I think they will pick Jadeja and Ashwin because Jadeja can hold that No. 6 batting spot. His (Jadeja) batting has improved so much that they can pick him as a batter now who might just bowl a few overs if required. There is no doubt that Ashwin is a more skilled and better Test bowler than Jadeja is, but if Jadeja can hold down that batting spot and then as the game goes on, getting into the fourth and fifth day if it does start to turn, then you have got that high-class second spin bowling option if required,” he explained.

“It can turn a lot”, Ponting expects to turn in Oval Cricket Ground

Ponting, who played a few Ashes games at the Oval throughout his playing career, anticipates plenty of turn. He said,

“Historically, the Oval pitch has been a very good batting wicket. It’s generally offered something for the fast bowlers on day one, but not a lot. But I have also played some games there where it has turned a lot. If it starts a little bit dry, it can turn a lot.”

“If I was them [India], knowing the importance of this game – and you have to win this Test match – I’d be going with Ishan Kishan in this game. He provides that little bit of X-factor that you need when you might be pushing for a win in a Test match. If Rishabh Pant is fit, he is playing, and he provides that X-factor for India”, he added.