In the WTC Final, Ricky Ponting wants India to play both Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja

Ricky Ponting has encouraged India to choose both Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin for the ICC World Test Championship Final, with the former mainly serving as a batter at No. 6.

The Indian spin combination has emerged as key performers after they shown great talent earlier this year when India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy back with a 2-1 series victory over Australia.

For all five Test matches during India’s most recent tour of England in 2021–2022, Jadeja was chosen over Ashwin. The all-rounder’s effect with the bat was minor in that series; he took six wickets at an average of 56.16, but he scored 287 runs, including a century in the fifth Test’s rescheduled match last year.

Instead of his skills with the ball, Jadeja’s bat skills, according to former Australia captain Ponting, might be crucial to Ashwin’s inclusion in the India XI for the WTC Final.

“I honestly believe Jadeja and Ashwin will be chosen. Jadeja can maintain his position as No. 6 bat. He may now be selected as a hitter who can also bowl a few overs if necessary because of how much his batting has progressed, according to Ponting on The ICC Review.

Ashwin demonstrated his domination during India’s home series against Australia earlier this year by taking an exceptional total of 25 wickets, which not only led the series but also won him a joint Player of the Series award with Jadeja.

Despite the fact that Jadeja and Ashwin excelled throughout the series on spin-friendly surfaces, it is important to note that Ashwin has shown his versatility by amassing an excellent tally of 61 wickets in 13 Tests, which is the third-highest total in the current WTC cycle.

Without a doubt, Ashwin is a more proficient and superior Test bowler than Jadeja.

However, if Jadeja can maintain that batting position, and as the game progresses into the fourth and fifth day, if it does start to turn, you’ll have access to a truly elite second spin bowling option. Without a doubt, that is what I would be doing, Ponting stated.

For the winner-takes-all WTC Final, Australia is anticipated to choose one specialist spinner, with veteran Nathan Lyon almost certainly receiving the nod.

In the most recent Test series between the two WTC finalists, Lyon equaled Jadeja’s 22 wicket total and helped Australia win the third game with match stats of 11/99.

With 83 wickets from 19 Test matches, the 35-year-old off-spinner also has the most among all bowlers in the current WTC cycle.

“When Indian subcontinental batters discuss encountering spin bowling, I assess spin based on what they typically say. Nathan Lyon is highly regarded by everyone I’ve spoken to from Sri Lanka, India, and other such countries, according to Ponting.