WTC Final: 'He's got that bit of attitude about him as well' - Ricky Ponting issues warning to Australia

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WTC Final: Ricky Ponting has praised India batting sensation Shubman Gill and warned Australia about the threats from the 23-year-old in the upcoming World Test Championship (WTC) final against India from June 7 at The Oval in London.

Gill, who is coming off a stupendous batting season, has been praised by Ponting for his "swagger and class". The former Australian captain mentioned Gill's pull shot while batting on front foot, saying that the shot could come handy against the likes of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins in the summit clash.

“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 told The ICC Review.

Australia will be talking about Kohli and Pujara: Ponting

Further, Ponting said that the Australian think tank will come up with special plans for Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. He said that while Pujara has troubled Australia a lot in the past, Kohli has slowly found back his lost mojo.

“The Australian team will be talking about Virat, no doubt about it, and they'll be talking about Pujara. They're the two,” Ponting said.

“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.

“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.”

With ongoing injury concerns for India pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah diminishing India’s pace threat, Ponting believes Shami will have to be at his best if they are to match Australia’s acclaimed attack.

“I think he has to step up or try and take his game to another level if India are going to win this game,” Ponting said.

“When you talk to the Australian batters as well, they understand how good Shami is whether it's a new ball or old ball, whether it's in Australia or India. They know the skillset he's got and how dangerous he can be. It’s going to have to be him," Ponting concluded.