Ricky Ponting ignores Arshdeep Singh, Mayank Yadav; backs this pacer to be in India's BGT 2024-25 squad

Legendary Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Khaleel Ahmed can be India's X-factor for the Test series against Australia later this year for the Border-Gavaskar 2024-25. Ponting was pleased with India's current fast-bowling resources and feels that they have the quality to trouble the opposition.

Khaleel Ahmed has been playing for Delhi Capitals for the last few years while Ricky Ponting was the team's head coach till last season. Being a coach, Ponting has observed Khaleel closely enough and knows his capabilities very well.

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Ricky Ponting backs Khaleel Ahmed to be in India's squad for Test series against Australia

In the latest episode of The ICC Review, Ponting backed Khaleel Ahmed to be a part of India's squad for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The former Australian skipper feels that Khaleel's left-arm pace would be ideal would be perfect for India.

"Someone like Khaleel Ahmed I think could find himself on the Test tour. I know he's just been over in Zimbabwe recently and played that (T20I) series over there, but a left-armer would be ideal for them to have in their touring squad," Ponting said.

Khaleel Ahmed was in India's reserves for the T20 World Cup 2024. He was later selected in India's squad for the tour of Zimbabwe where he played three matches and picked up 3 wickets. In IPL 2024, Khaleel picked up 17 wickets in 14 matches at an average of 28.18.

Ricky Ponting speaks about India's fast-bowling trio

The 49-year-old also spoke about India's celebrated trio of fast bowling which includes Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj. Ponting feels that both India and Australia have brilliant bowling line-ups and it will be a fantastic match-up.

"(Mohammed) Shami will be back fit by then, (Mohammed) Siraj we know will be there abouts somewhere and obviously Bumrah is going nowhere. So both teams are going to line up really, really strongly," he added.

India's pace bowling line-up is looking in good shape currently for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj are two fast bowlers who can be consistently lethal and have troubled Australian batters in the past.

Mohammed Shami set to return to international cricket

Meanwhile, Mohammed Shami is set to return to red-ball cricket as he has already started training. If India manages to keep all three quicks fit and intact till the series against Australia, they are likely to pose a tough challenge to Australia in their conditions.

Arshdeep Singh is another bowler who is in line to be selected for the series. Arshdeep has been in good form with the ball recently and emerged as the highest wicket-taker in the T20 World Cup 2024 with 17 wickets in 8 matches. His ability to swing the new ball with his left-arm angle could be the factor that India is looking for.

India have registered series wins on their last two tours of Australia. The last series win in Down Under was quite special as The Men in Blue defeated a strong Australian side despite multiple injuries to its players.