WTC final 2023: Ricky Ponting names key India players to watch out for ahead of summit clash against Australia

With the World Test Championship final (2023) right around the corner, both India and Australia will be gearing up to take on each other in the much-anticipated clash. The Test match is scheduled to be played from June 7 at The Oval in London.

With the likes of Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara, and many more fit and raring to go, it could be likely that team India will be putting in excellent displays with the bat against the Pat Cummins-led side.

Opining about the same, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting came forward to pinpoint the key factors for team India that could lead the side to a brilliant win against Australia in the WTC final. Ponting revealed that the performances of Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli could be key.

"The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they'll be talking about Pujara. They're the two; Pujara has been a thorn in their side a lot in the past and in Australia, and this wicket will potentially be a lot more like an Australian pitch. They know that they'll have to get him early," Ponting said in the ICC review.

"They also know that Virat, over the last few weeks, is probably just about back to his absolute best, albeit in T20 cricket. He told me that the feeling he's getting right now is that he's almost back to his best, and that's an ominous warning for the Australians going into a one-off game," he added.

Furthermore, the 48-year-old also heaped praise on the recent performances of star Indian batter Shubman Gill. The 23-year-old played the last two Tests of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023, and with KL Rahul out of contention due to injury, it could be Gill’s time to shine.

"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.