Legendary batter Ricky Ponting has said that the Australian team should be wary of Indian batters Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara as the ICC WTC 2023 final nears. The two teams will clash from June 7-11 at the Oval in London in the ultimate Test.
Given that Pujara is a crucial component of India's Test batting lineup, Ponting stressed the significance of protecting against him.
Due to Pujara's significant experience competing for Sussex in the recent English County Championship, his teammates may benefit greatly from his views, making him a more deadly foe.
Ponting also emphasized Kohli's outstanding performance, noting that he recently demonstrated his return to form by scoring two centuries and six half-centuries for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the IPL 2023.
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"The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they'll be talking about Pujara. They're the two," Ponting said on 'The ICC Review'.
"Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past, and in Australia, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they'll have to get him early," opined the former Australian captain.
Pujara has 2,033 runs and five centuries in 24 Tests against Australia.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli had smashed 186 in the fourth Test against Australia in March during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and would be itching to have a go at the Pat Cummins-led side.
"They also know that Virat over the last few weeks is probably just about back to his absolute best, albeit in T20 cricket. He told me that the feeling he's getting right now is that he's almost back to his best, and that's an ominous warning for the Australians going into a one-off game," said Ponting.
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He was also praiseful of young Shubman Gill who topped the IPL 2023 batting charts with 890 runs with three centuries to his name.
"He looks like a terrific young guy. He's got that bit of attitude about him as well. He's got a bit of swagger. He has some serious class. That sort of front-foot pull shot that he plays against the fast bowlers will be a shot that he'll probably need against this Australian attack," said Ponting.
Ponting believes veteran Mohammad Shami will have to be at his absolute best against the strong Australian batting lineup, given that Jasprit Bumrah is not in the frame owing to injury.
"I think he has to step up or try and 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 new ball or old ball, whether it's in Australia or India. They know the skillset he's got and how dangerous he can be. It's going to have to be him," added Ponting.
(PTI inputs)
