Looks like the analysts feel that Nepomniachtchi could have won this game while playing the white pieces.
Ding was undefeated in classical chess from August 2017 to November 2018, recording 29 victories and 71 draws. This 100-game unbeaten streak was the longest in top-level chess history, until Magnus Carlsen surpassed it in 2019. Ding is currently No. 3 in classical chess behind Magnus Carlsen and Ian Nepomniachtchi, and will be one of the challengers for the upcoming World Chess Championship 2023 (having qualified as Carlsen declined to defend his title).