Ricky Ponting backs PBKS pacer to be part of playing XI, gives perfect batting order

Finding the best playing XI for Team India in the England tour is just like a jigsaw puzzle. Experts from all over the world seem to be trying to solve it. Now PBKS coach Ricky Ponting has revealed that the management should opt for left-arm pacer Arshdeep Singh, due to his ability to swing the ball.

Arshdeep Singh in Playing XI?

“I would actually have him in their Test team at the start (of the England series),” Ponting told the ICC Review. “He’s very skillful, he’s played County cricket, he knows the conditions there and I think the Dukes Ball will help him in the UK as well.

“And I just think to have that point of difference, having a left-armer in your team, I think will be something that, if India don’t do it then it’ll be a bit of a surprise to me. As we know in England the ball still swings 30, 40 or 50 overs old. So to have someone that’s got that swing bowling ability and a left-armer I think is something that the Indian team should definitely look out for on that tour.”

Ricky Ponting Suggests India Batting Order

Apart from that Ponting also went with Sai Sudharsan at No. 3 with Shubman Gill at No. 4. “I think (Sai) Sudarshan and (Yashasvi) Jaiswal will open the batting (in England) as Sudarshan just looks like a class player to me and technically I think he could do well at Test level,” Ponting said.

“They’ll have two pretty young opening batters, so they might look to go for someone that’s got a bit more experience at No.3. Whether that’s KL (Rahul) or Karun (Nair) at No.3, and then Shubman might end up being that No.4 player, which will probably make life for him a little bit easier as a captain as well. Not having to be opening or batting at No.3 as a young captain might make it easier. Their top five will probably be Sudarshan, Jaiswal, KL, Gill and Karun Nair for the start of the England series.”