On Ravindra Jadeja vs R Ashwin WTC Final Dilemma, Ricky Ponting Picks 'More Skilled' Bowler

06.06.2023 - 18:13 sports.ndtv.com

Can both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin be a part of India's playing XI for the World Test Championship final against Australia?

The tricky question doesn't seem to have a finite answer, at least until the conditions at the Oval become absolutely clear.

The opinions over Jadeja vs Ashwin have been divided, with certain experts preferring left-arm spinner while others going with the right-armer.

Ricky Ponting, however, feels the Indian team management will pick both Jadeja and Ashwin the team, although the latter is clearly the 'more skilled and better Test bowler' for the Australian legend. "I actually think they will pick Jadeja and Ashwin," Ponting said on The ICC Review. "Jadeja can hold down that No.6 batting spot.

cricket Australia Cricket Team India Cricket Team on Ricky Ponting Ravichandran Ashwin Ravindra Jadeja Australia India

Team India was thrashed by Australia in the World Test Championship, earlier this month. Playing at the Oval, the Rohit Sharma-led side faced a 209-run defeat and their hopes of winning an ICC trophy were brutally crushed. Team India's failure at another major ICC event gave rise to a lot of criticism, as many fans and experts raised questions about the side's Playing XI. The team management went with Ravindra Jadeja as their only spinner in the match, which led to the exclusion of the ace all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin.

Ravindra Jadeja Shares Picture With His "Forever Crush". See Pics

Ravindra Jadeja is arguably one of the finest all-rounders in the world. The 34-year-old cricketer has produced some of the best spells ever seen in Test cricket. His heroics in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia, will be remembered for ages. However, there is another thing apart from cricket, which makes Jadeja a fan favourite and that is his love for horses. On many occasions, the all-rounder has expressed his fondness for the horses. On Sunday, Jadeja shared another picture with the adorable animal, which utterly impressed the fans.

Watch: Cameron Green Is Stunned As Ravindra Jadeja's Delivery Breaks His Defence In WTC Final

India picked up a couple of wickets but Australia chugged away to take extend their overall lead to 374 runs after reaching 201 for 6 at lunch on day four of the World Test Championship final at The Oval. Australia had to battle hard to get 78 runs in 26 overs from the morning session with Alex Carey going strong at 41 off 61 balls. Mitchel Starc was unbeaten on 11 at the other end. On the hottest morning of the game, the pitch continued to play plenty of tricks with both seamers and spinners being in business.

Ravindra Jadeja Surpasses Bishan Singh Bedi To Script Huge India Test Record

Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja on Friday created history, as he surpassed compatriot Bishan Singh Bedi to become the country's most successful left-arm spinner in the history of Test cricket. Jadeja accomplished this during India's ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval. In Australia's second innings, Jadeja put to an end innings of two centurions from the first innings, Steve Smith (34) and Travis Head (18). Jadeja ended the day with figures of 2/25 in nine overs.

India vs Australia, WTC Final: Australia End Day 3 At 123/4, Extend Lead To 296 Runs Against India

India's Ajinkya Rahane revived his international career with a courageous effort in seaming conditions but it could not prevent Australia from extending their supremacy in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in London on Friday. Playing his first Test in 18 months and with his side's back against the wall, Rahane weathered a hostile spell from Australian pacers on way to a memorable 89 off 129 balls on the third day and took India to 296 all out from 152 for six.

Sloppy Australia stay on top in WTC final after Jadeja's double strike

India's Ravindra Jadeja took two prize wickets but Australia remained in command of the World Test Championship final despite an error-strewn display at The Oval on Friday.