"Got A Bit Of Attitude...": Ricky Ponting On Why Shubman Gill Would Be Key For India In WTC Final

03.06.2023 - 02:59 sports.ndtv.com

With the Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023 done and dusted, the focus now shifts towards the longest format of the game as India take on Australia in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

With KL Rahul out injured, the responsibility will be on Shubman Gill to partner Rohit Sharma at the top of the order. Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting feels Gill has a bit of class and swagger in his stroke making, adding that the 23-year-old will play an important role in the WTC final. "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," Ponting said on ICC Review.

Gill was in stunning form during IPL 2023 as he won the Orange Cap. However, he could not take defending champions Gujarat Titans to their second successive title but he will be hoping to win his first major trophy in Indian colours next week.

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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting reckons the catch taken by all-rounder Cameron Green to dismiss Indian opener Shubman Gill had the ball touching the ground at one point but credited the third umpire for taking the "correct decision" during the fourth day's play of the World Test Championship final. Gill was batting on 18 when he edged one off Scott Boland and the ball flew low to the left of Green at gully, who scooped it inches from the ground and immediately celebrated the dismissal, as India were rocked early in the chase of 444.

"Got More Angles In IPL": Rohit Sharma Blasts WTC Organisers Over Shubman Gill's Controversial Dismissal

Sunday turned out to be nightmare for Team India as they faced a 209-run defeat against Australia on Day 5 of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. Chasing a whopping total of 444, Team India needed 280 runs to win on the final with seven wickets in hand. However, Australia's bowling attack completely dominated the Rohit Sharma-led side and bundled them out for 234. After the match ended, India skipper Rohit Sharma opened up on the controversial dismissal of opening batter Shubman gill on Scott Boland's delivery on Day 4.

As Fan Proposes To Girlfriend During WTC Final, Ricky Ponting's Dig At Couple

After being completely outplayed by Australia in the first three days, Team India fought with tooth and nail to produce a decent fightback on Day 4. Apart from the action on the field, a special moment in the crowd caught the attention of everyone. During India's second innings on Day 4, a fan proposed to his girlfriend at The Oval. The camera was panned towards the couple the moment the man went on his knees and his girlfriend said 'Yes'.

"Cheat, Cheat, Cheat": Australian Cricketers Booed After Shubman Gill's Dismissal In WTC Final

The Oval Indian supporters, on Saturday, resorted to booing the Australian team, primarily Cameron Green after the giant all-rounder's diving catch to dismiss opener Shubman Gill looked inconclusive to the naked eye. At the stroke of tea, Scott Boland got one to bounce little extra from length and it flew from ball the shoulder of Gill's blade only to be scooped up inches off the ground by a diving Green, stationed at gully. Gill scored 18 in an opening stand of 41 and was looking in good rhythm. As tea was called, a dejected Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was seen having a chat with on-field umpires while trudging back to pavilion.

WTC Final: Shubman Gill Posts Cryptic Tweet About Controversial Catch, Uses 'Facepalm' Emoji

Shubman Gill took to social media to post a screenshot of Cameron Green's controversial catch to dismiss him on Day 4 of the World Test Championship (WTC) Final at The Oval on Saturday. Experts were divided over whether Green was able to complete the catch properly at third slip with some videos and pictures suggesting that the ball touched the ground when his hand made impact. However, the third umpire thought that the catch was fair and Gill was given out. The in-form India opener posted a picture of the catch on Twitter along with a cryptic caption which included the 'facepalm' emoji.

Watch: Shubman Gill's Contentious Dismissal That Had The Internet Abuzz During WTC Final

Australia set India a record 444-run target on a tricky pitch after Alex Carey propped up their second innings total to 270 for eight before declaring midway into the afternoon session. India kept things tight in the morning but Carey (66 not off 105) and Mitchell Starc (51 off 47) showed aggressive intent to share a 93-run stand off 120 balls for the seventh wicket. They collected 69 valuable runs off 87 balls before Pat Cummins declared the innings after his own dismissal.