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Australia will have to defend against Cheteswar Pujara’s ‘thorn in the side’ and Virat Kohli’s ‘on top again’ if they are to face India in next week’s World Testing Championship final at The Oval, says legendary cricketer Ricky Ponting. Indian vaulter Pujara could provide valuable insight to his teammates as he played extensively for Sussex in the English County Championship while Kohli is at his absolute best, cracking two centuries and six half tons for the Royal Challengers Bangalore in the recently concluded championship. India. Premier League.
“The Australian team will be talking about Virat no doubt and they will be talking about Pujar. They are two,” Ponting told The ICC Review.
Pujara is known to relish the challenge given to him by the Australian bowlers, racking up more Test runs and centuries against them than any other side, and his contribution will be critical to India’s chances of lifting the WTC trophy in a second attempt.
“The pujara has been a thorn in their side in the past, and in Australia, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian field. captain.
Pujara, who is in 3rd place, has 2033 runs and five centuries in 24 tests against Australia and skipper Rohit Sharma is hoping he will make a couple more vital contributions to the WTC final.
Kohli, on top of his brilliant IPL form, smashed 186 in the fourth Test against Australia in March during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and was eager to try out for Pat Cummins’ team.
“They also know that Virat has probably almost returned to his absolute best over the past few weeks, albeit in T20 cricket. He told me that he feels like he’s almost back to his best now, and that’s an ominous warning. for Australians entering the one-off game,” Ponting said.
Ponting is also very impressed with the young Schubman Gill’s IPL performance and the 23-year-old’s exploits in the last two tests of the Border-Gavaskar series.
Gill played three centuries for the Gujarat Titans in the IPL
“He looks like an amazing young guy. He also has this attitude towards himself. He is a little arrogant. He has a serious class. the shot he will probably need against this Australian attack,” Ponting said.
Ponting believes the paced bowlers will have to work hard during the one-off test and veteran Mohammed Shami will need to show his best against a strong Australian line-up with Jasprit Bamra out of the frame due to an injury.
“I think he needs to step up or try to take his game to the next level if India is going to win this game. When you talk to Australian batters, they understand how good Shami is, whether it’s a new ball or an old ball. be it in Australia or India.
“They know what skills he has and how dangerous he can be. It has to be him,” Ponting added.
(This story has not been edited by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a syndicated feed.)
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