The highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will kick-start in three months, with the Test series opener slated to be played on November 22 in Perth. Meanwhile, there is a growing excitement about Khaleel Ahmed's potential role in the Australian conditions.

Ricky Ponting The left-arm seamer who has played 11 ODIs and 10 T20Is for India is yet to make his Test debut. Meanwhile, Ricky Ponting, a cricketing icon and former Australian captain, has singled out Khaleel as a player who could be ideal for India in Australian conditions.

While expressing his thoughts on the latest episode of the ICC Review, Ricky Ponting said that having a left-arm pacer could be ideal for Team India Down Under. The veteran feels that having a left-arm seamer could be a valuable addition to the team.

"Someone like Khaleel Ahmed I think could find himself on the Test tour. I know he has 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," he added.

Khaleel Ahmed had an impressive performance in the most recent Indian Premier League, claiming 17 wickets for the Delhi Capitals under Ricky Ponting’s guidance. This standout showing earned him a return to the national set-up after 2019.

For the unversed, the 26-year-old was included as a traveling reserve for the ICC T20 World Cup 2024, where India ended an 11-year wait for an ICC trophy. Following the World Cup, Khaleel played in a T20I series against Zimbabwe under Shubman Gill's leadership, where he took three wickets in three games. He also marked his presence in the T20I series against Sri Lanka earlier this month, featuring in one of the games.