‘I’ll stick with the 3-1’, Ricky Ponting predicts BIG series defeat for India in Border Gavaskar Trophy
New Delhi: Ricky Ponting, the former Australia captain, has expressed his belief that Australia will be the favourites in the upcoming five-match Test series against India, starting on November 22. India enters the series following a historic 0-3 whitewash on home soil, marking their first-ever such defeat.
Considering India’s recent performance and current form, Ponting believes the Rohit Sharma-led side isn’t heading into the series with full confidence. He picked Australia as the firm favourites to win 3-1, citing their experience and dominance at home.
“I think India will win a Test match somewhere through the five Test matches. But I still think now, Australia probably look a bit more settled, a bit more experienced and we know that they’re a very hard team to beat at home. So I’ll stick with the 3-1,” Ponting said on ICC Review.
Ponting further pointed out a significant gap in India’s bowling attack due to the absence of pacer Mohammed Shami. The fast bowler, who has been sidelined since the 2023 ODI World Cup with a heel injury, hasn’t recovered in time and is therefore unavailable for the series.
“Probably more so now (than before). (Mohammed) Shami just leaves such a big hole in that bowling group. Back then (in August) there was still some conjecture about whether Shami would be fit or not. I think taking 20 wickets in a Test match for India is going to be the biggest challenge. I think they’ll bat well enough out here with the current group of batters that they’ve got,” Ponting said about Australia’s chances against India as quoted by the ICC.
In Shami’s absence, India have included young pacers Prasidh Krishna and Harshit Rana in their 18-member squad, alongside Jasprit Bumrah, Akash Deep, and Mohammed Siraj for the pace attack. India has won their last two Test series in Australia and will need to replicate that success to stay in contention for a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.