Ricky Ponting, the former captain of the Australian team, has carried out his analysis of the upcoming five-match Test series between India and Australia. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 starts with the first Test match to be held on November 22 in Perth, followed by the remaining four matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and the final one in Sydney in due order.
Just before India heads to Australia, the Australian Test and ODI leading run getter, Ricky Ponting forecasted a series victory of 3-1 over the hosts. As per him, although India may win in a single Test match while in Australia, this time, the Baggy Green will finally bring an end to India’s dominance and win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after ten years.
“I think India will win a Test match somewhere through the five Test matches,” Ponting stated on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
“But I still think now, Australia probably looks 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,” he added.
Putting forth his thoughts on the first Test series of the year, Ricky Ponting predicted the WTC holders’ series – that is of 3-1 in August, and he is once again supporting his earlier claim.
In the 2014-15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy edition, Australia triumphed over India by a score of 2-0, but in the last two home series versus India, the Baggy Greens were beaten 1-2 on their own turf.
Australia occupies the first place in the ICC ranking for Tests and WTC points table for 2023-25. They are on home soil and four out of the five Tests in the current WTC cycle that they have played have ended in victory to them.
However, India has had their share of losses as well before facing Australia in the series. They suffered a shocking loss in the last three Test matches against New Zealand. This loss was particularly disappointing in that it was the first time India has ever lost at home in a series of three or more Tests played. The fact that the first-ever home series defeat to New Zealand also all but ended India’s hopes of reaching the WTC 2025 final only made matters worse.
If the Rohit Sharma-led team manages to win against Australia with a score of 4-0 or 5-0, it will guarantee the team a top-two finish and a seat at the WTC 2025 final in London next year.
