Former Australia captain and player, Ricky Ponting has recently stated that India pacer Mohammed Shami will have to change his tactics before the WTC final.
Shami, who is in excellent form as was seen in the IPL, will have extra responsibilities on his shoulders.
Moreover, Shami finished as the leading wicket-taker in the cash-rich tournament.
But now, Shami will have a different challenge in the English conditions and will have to adjust himself accordingly.
Additionally, Shami is also aware of how dangerous Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne will be during the one-off Test.
Therefore, Ponting has stated that Shami will have to bowl at his very best in the WTC.
Mohammed Shami has to step up or try to take his game to another level if India are going to win this game. When you talk to the Australian batters as well, they understand how good Shami is, whether it’s the new ball or old ball, whether it’s in Australia or India.
Ponting says Hardik Pandya should’ve been selected for the WTC
Moreover, Ponting has also stated that India should have thought of Hardik Pandya for the WTC.
During the IPL, Pandya bowled in all the games and has been bowling pretty quick as well. Furthermore, the inclusion of Pandya would have made a huge difference to the Indian team.
Furthermore, Ponting also feels that Pandya is the X-factor between India and Australia.
I thought about the other day for India in this game is how valuable someone like Hardik Pandya could be in a one-off Test match. I know he is on record saying that Test match game is probably a little bit hard on his body. But for a one-off game… he’s been bowling every game through this IPL and he’s bowling quick. He (Pandya) could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game, come in and see what he can do with bat and ball. He could be the difference between the two teams.
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