WTC final: Mohammad Shami must step up his game, says Ponting

Ricky Ponting suggests Mohammad Shami must ‘step up’ and take his game to another level for India to win final

London: Australian legend Ricky Ponting suggests Mohammed Shami must ‘step up’ and take his game to another level for India to win the World Test Championship (WTC) final at London Oval from June 7-12 Final against Australia.

India will call on their walkers at the oval more often than they did in the recent Test series against Australia on home soil, when Mohammed Shami was the busiest quicker with 69.1.

With ongoing injury concerns over Jasprit Bumrah reducing India’s speed threat, Ponting believes Shami must be at his best to match Australia’s acclaimed attack.

“If India is going to win this match, I think he has to step up or try to take his game to another level,” Ponting told the ICC.

“When you talk to Australian batsmen, they also understand how good Shami is, whether it’s new ball or old ball, whether it’s in Australia or India,” the former Australian cricketer said.

Shami was awarded the ‘Purple Cap’ for his bowling in the recently concluded Indian Premier League (IPL) 2023. He has taken 28 wickets this season with an economy rate of 8.03 and an average of 18.64. His best bowling spell is 4/1.

Shami, who has played just three Test matches in 2023, has picked nine scalps at an average of 28.22. He has the best bowling numbers 4/60.

“They knew his skills and how dangerous he was. It had to be him,” concluded Ponting.