'Bhai ye bas hume bana raha hai' - Fans react as Ricky Ponting backs Indian allrounder as X-factor in Test Championship finals against Australia

Ricky Ponting (Source: Twitter)

Both the Indian and Australian Cricket Team has reached London for the preparation of the Test Championship finals. Ahead of the game, former Australia batter Ricky Ponting analysed the Indian team and said that all-rounder Hardik Pandya could have been a great addition to the Indian squad. Ponting believes that India should have selected him because he would have been an X-factor.

Writing for the Apex Council's Review he said,

"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. 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 (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", he further added. Notably, Hardik Pandya last played a Test match in 2018 and since then has parted his ways from the longest format of the game. He has scored 532 runs at an average of 31.29 in 11 Test matches including a century. He has also clinched 17 wickets in 11 games after making his debut in 2017.

Hardik Pandya's GT succumbed against CSK in the IPL finals

Notably, Hardik Pandya was, currently, leading his franchise Gujarat Titans in the 16th season of the Indian Premier League 2023. Under his leadership, GT won their first title in their inaugural season in 2022 and faced Chennai Super Kings in the finals of the 2023 IPL.

However, in the final game, despite posting a huge total of 214/4 in 20 overs, GT succumbed against CSK as they clinched their fifth IPL trophy.

After the loss, Hardik said that he doesn't mind losing against MS Dhoni.

"I'm very happy for him . Destiny had this written for him. If I had to lose, I don't mind losing to him. I said last year that good things happen to good people. I think he is one of the nicest people I have met. God has been kind to me, but I think God gave him a little more today", he said in the post-match presentation ceremony.

Here is how fans react to Ricky Ponting's comments:

He could be the X-factor for Australia! He is not a Test player...

— KNIGHT ANEEK #Shreyasian (@AneekDey108) May 30, 2023

Ponting wants hardik to gets injured because he knows he cannot play test cricket because of his injury prone body. If injury occurs, he will not be able to play cricket and it will open captaincy spot. PS-he is scared of Hardik Pov- it will increase the brand value of DC. #ykwim

— Vishwas_Bajwa (@SinghGurvishwas) May 30, 2023

India need to find 2-3 Pace bowling all rounders from Ranji at any cost . Hardik has been on decline since that injury ,can't be a finisher ,maybe still 3-4 years left in him but not more

— Abhisek@2816 (@AbhisekBChoudh2) May 31, 2023

With Pant not in and non surity around KS Bharat’s batting prowess, I fear 🇮🇳 top 5 will be playing this game way too safe, compared to going out all guns blazing. Predicted playing 11 - Rohit Gill Puji Kohli Rahane Bharath Jaddu Shardul Shami Siraj Umesh. Come one India 🇮🇳🇮🇳

— Rishabh Shah 🇮🇳🇮🇳 (@rishlee) May 31, 2023

Only if he could have given us 10 overs per day which is not likely. So we have moved on from him in this format

— Aditya (@Aditya73927510) May 30, 2023

Absolutely! Would have loved Hardik to play just one off test like WTC Final especially with X Factor Pant is not able to play.. Jadeja 6, Hardik 7 and Bharat 8 would have provided Excellent batting depth which I feel India might miss!

— IPL CricOpinions (@CricOPinionsB) May 30, 2023

No tests for him… his injury and the surgery was big on him. How much he preserves his career will last

— Viddu (@Vidharom) May 30, 2023

Bhai ye Ponting ki baat manna band kro,banda bs Australia ko favour krna chahta h ar kch nhi,dimag s khel rha hai

— Nothing (@endthemultiverz) May 30, 2023

He'll not be able to bowl more than 8-9 overs 🥴

That is the main concern.

— RoSupremacy45🇮🇳 (@imsumit4545) May 30, 2023

इसकी बात ना सुनो ये अपनी टीम ऑस्ट्रेलिया को जिताना चाह रहा इसको ले के

— PNM😊 (@pnmasih) May 30, 2023

Ponting is giving all the advice to team India which will favour Aussies 😂😂

— Sankaran Baskar (@SankaranBaskar) May 31, 2023

Bhai ko Australia jeetna isliye yesa bol raha hai

— MAHARATHI⚔️ (@maharathi07) May 31, 2023