'But There is Another X-Factor': Ricky Ponting Backs Ishan Kishan's Inclusion in Team India
Ishan Kishan has slammed 425 runs in IPL 2023 for MI so far [Source: Twitter]
The excitement around the upcoming ICC World Test Championship (WTC) Final 2023 is reaching unattained heights with several high-profile events taking place. The WTC Final will be played at The Oval from June 7 between two history-rich sides India and Australia.
India goes into their second consecutive WTC Final faced with injury issues, where several last-minute additions took place. One such inclusion was Ishan Kishan, who came into the side as KL Rahul's replacement. Many believed that Suryakumar Yadav would have been an ideal replacement with the unavailability of Rishabh Pant in the squad.
However, former Australia captain, Ricky Ponting has thrown his weight behind Kishan's selection. According to Crictracker, Ponting speaking at an ICC event, explained how Kishan could be India's X-Factor player, that could help India win the Test mace, while also stating that Yadav should have been in the scheme of things.
Here's what Ponting said
“But there is another X factor that has just been added in Ishan Kishan. If you look at the way he plays, he is probably the most like Rishabh Pant with his potential to keep and bat in the middle order. If they do play those guys they should be given the right to play an aggressive brand of cricket. The best chance for India to achieve a result is by being a bit more adventurous in the way they play and Australia will try to do the same thing.”
Kishan in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 season for Mumbai Indians has been amongst the runs, amassing 425 runs, while Yadav is leading the batting charts for the club with 486 runs.
The Rohit Sharma-led side goes up against Sunrisers Hyderabad on Sunday in a must-win match if they want to qualify for the playoffs.
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