Hardik Pandya could have been very valuable in a one-off WTC Test: Ricky Ponting

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting feels that Team India could have included all-rounder Hardik Pandya in their squad for the forthcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final. The second edition of the WTC final will be played between India and Australia at The Oval in London from June 7 to 11. This will be the Baggy Greens' first WTC final while India were defeated by New Zealand in the first edition in 2021.

Hardik's all-around ability, according to Ponting, could have been the determining factor in the one-off game against Australia. Notably, the 29-year-old all-rounder has not featured in a Test match since 2018, and he has been sidelined from the longest format of the game due to persistent fitness issues. The Australian, however, believes Pandya could have played in the WTC final, citing his bowling exploits in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL).

"I thought about the other day for India in this game is how valuable someone like Hardik Pandya could be in a one-off Test match," Ponting wrote for the ICC Review.

"I know he is on record saying that the Test match game is probably a little bit hard on his body. But for a one-off game... he's been bowling every game through this IPL and he's bowling quick," he added.

Pandya could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game: Ponting

The Delhi Capitals (DC) head coach went on to say that Pandya might have been the X-factor for the Indian team in the WTC final, as he can perform well with both bat as well as ball. 

"He (Pandya) could be that X-factor there just to pick in a one-off game, come in and see what he can do with bat and ball. He could be the difference between the two teams," the 48-year-old added.

The 29-year-old allrounder has featured in 11 Tests for India since his debut in 2017. He has amassed 532 runs at an average of 31.29 from 18 innings, including a century and four fifties, and has picked up 17 wickets at an economy of 3.38.