Ricky Ponting’s big statement, Virat’s return to form before WTC final ‘ominous warning’ for Australia

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed confidence in India’s batting ahead of the much-anticipated ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final 2023. He clearly said that while the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara and promising Shubman Gill hold the key to India’s success in the crucial match, we should not forget Virat Kohli. He also said that Virat’s return to form ahead of the WTC final is an ‘ominous warning’ for Australia. India and Australia will go head-to-head in the 2023 final of the World Test Championship starting June 7.

 

Former Australia captain and batting great Ricky Ponting has said that Pat Cummins’ team will plan specifically for two batsmen, Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. Ponting said that the Australian team will talk about Virat, there is no doubt about it, and they will talk about Pujara. Ponting said that Australia will have to be especially careful with Pujara. Pujara has been a thorn in his side in the past as well in Australia, and this wicket will likely be a lot like the Australian pitch. India’s No. 3 batsman, has 2,033 runs and five hundreds in 24 Tests against Australia.

Ponting also said that Kohli seems to have put the prolonged poor form behind him. Kohli scored 186 the last time the two sides faced each other in red-ball cricket. After his last Test against Australia, Kohli enjoyed individual success in the 2023 IPL, scoring two centuries, that too in consecutive matches. He said that he also knows that Virat is probably getting back to his best form in T20 cricket in the last few weeks. He told me that what he is feeling right now is that he is almost back to his best, and that is an ominous warning for the Aussies going in for a one-off game.