Ricky Ponting, a batting icon, believes that India should have included Hardik Pandya in their lineup for the WTC Final 2023 matchup against Australia in London because of his all-around skills, which may have been the deciding factor in the one-off match.

Due to persisting physical problems, Pandya has chosen to sit out the five-day format and has not participated in a Test match since 2018.

Ponting, though, believed Pandya should have participated in the June 7–11 winner–takes–all match at The Oval. primarily due to the fact that he bowled for Gujarat Titans, which he captains, in nearly every game of the recently concluded IPL.

Ponting noted for the ICC Review, “…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 am aware that he has stated publicly that the Test match cricket is perhaps a little taxing on his physique. However, he has been bowling every game during this IPL, and he is swift. Pandya might have been the deciding factor for the Indian squad in the World squad Cup final starting on June 7, according to the former Australia captain who is also the head coach of Delhi Capitals in the IPL.

“He (Pandya) could be the X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game, come in, and see what he can do with bat and ball,” a sports reporter once said. He might make or break the performance of the two teams. After making his Test debut in 2017, the 29-year-old Pandya has since participated in 11 matches, amassing 532 runs at an average of 31.29 with 104 fifty-pluses. He has 17 wickets at a 31.05. average.

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