‘A left-armer would be ideal’ – Ricky Ponting wants India to pick Khaleel Ahmed for Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25

Khaleel Ahmed. (Photo Source: Twitter)

India will square off with Australia  in a five-match Test series later this year, with the Border-Gavaskar Trophy on the line. Australian stalwart Ricky Ponting suggested that India should bring Khaleel Ahmed on the tour to add more variety to their seam-bowling attack.

India and Australia are No. 1 and 2 on the current World Test Championship (WTC) standings, respectively. They competed in the finals of the previous cycle last year when Australia picked up a comprehensive win. However, India emerged victorious in the last two Test series they played on Australian soil. The upcoming face-off will give Australia a chance to reclaim the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the first time after losing it in 2017.

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Meanwhile, Ponting backed Khaleel to find himself in India’s squad for the highly-anticipated tour as the former Australian captain opined that having a left-arm pacer could be of great help for the tourists.

“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 told ICC review.

The Delhi Capitals speedster has picked up 25 wickets from 12 matches in his first-class career at an average of 35 and an economy of 2.95. The 26-year-old also has two four-wicket hauls to his name. However, he is yet to get his maiden Test cap. He has played 11 ODI and 18 T20Is so far, picking up 15 and 16 wickets, respectively.

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Ponting also heaped praise on India’s experienced pace trio of Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Jasprit Bumrah, who will be looking to challenge the Australian batters with their immaculate skillsets.

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