WTC Final: Ricky Ponting expresses surprise over Suryakumar Yadav’s omission from India squad

India will take on formidable Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final at The Oval starting June 7. Both India and Australia have announced their squads for the all-important match.

However, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed surprise over India’s 360 degree batsman Suryakumar Yadav’s omission from the Indian Test squad. But the legendry batsman pointed out at a Rishabh Pant-like player in the Indian squad and hailed him as an ‘X-factor’ for the WTC final.

“I am really surprised with Suryakumar Yadav’s omission for the all-important match. However, 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,” said Ponting.

Notably, Kishan was added to the India squad as a replacement for KL Rahul. Rahul injured himself during the ongoing IPL 2023 earlier this month. Ishan is yet to make his Test debut for India.