Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has confidently predicted a 3-1 victory for the World Test Champions in the highly-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against India, which is set to unfold later this year. Ponting, a legendary figure in cricket, expressed his belief that the Australian team has a point to prove, having fallen short in their last two BGT assignments at home, occurring in the 2018-19 and 2020-21 series. The last time Australia secured a Test series win against India was a decade ago in 2014, marking a succession of four series losses to the Indian team, two of those occurring on home soil and two away.
“It’s going to be a competitive series and as I said I think Australia’s got a bit of a point to prove against India in Australia on the back of what’s happened in the last two series here,” Ponting stated during the ICC Review, in a conversation with Sanjana Ganesan.
This year’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to be particularly notable, as India and Australia will be contesting a five-match Test series for the first time in more than 32 years. The series is slated to commence on November 22 in Perth, followed by a day-night Test in Adelaide. The third Test will be held at the Gabba in Brisbane starting on December 14, with the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) and the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) hosting the iconic Boxing Day and New Year’s Tests, respectively.
“We are back to five Tests as well, which is the other really important thing about this series. It’s only been four Tests the last couple of times. Five tests, I think everyone’s really excited by that and I don’t know if there’d be too many drawn games,” Ponting remarked, adding further excitement to what promises to be a thrilling series.
While acknowledging the competitive nature of the upcoming series, Ponting confidently backed his homeland team, suggesting that Australia is likely to come out on top, winning the series 3-1. “I’m obviously going to tip Australia to win and I’m never going to tip against Australia. There will be a draw somewhere and there will be some bad weather somewhere, so I’m going to say 3-1 to Australia,” Ponting confidently asserted.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy not only carries significant national pride but also holds substantial importance in the context of the World Test Championship (WTC). Both India and Australia currently occupy the top positions on the WTC points table.
. As such, the results of this five-match series could have a profound impact on their chances of qualifying for the Championship final, making each match even more critical.
Adding more to the intrigue, Ponting’s forecast contrasts the strength of both teams. India’s formidable batting order and potent bowling lineup have been a force to reckon with in recent years. Meanwhile, Australia boasts a well-rounded team with both seasoned and emerging players who have shown their mettle in various international contests.
In related news, Harbhajan Singh, a former India off-spinner, recently commented on the ongoing careers of Indian stalwarts Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Additionally, George Worker, a former New Zealand cricketer, has announced his retirement from professional cricket to join an investment firm. Furthermore, Ricky Ponting himself has voiced support for a promising fast bowler from the Delhi Capitals, advocating for his inclusion in India’s Test squad for the forthcoming Australia tour.
The return to a five-match series format is anticipated to lessen the chances of a series draw, a sentiment echoed by many cricket analysts and enthusiasts. Test cricket purists are particularly excited by this development, as it brings back the essence of long-form cricket battles that test the teams’ endurance, strategy, and skills over an extended period.
Ponting’s prediction, while bold, reflects the competitive spirit and high stakes involved in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams will be looking to assert their dominance and build momentum as they edge closer to the final stages of the World Test Championship. The anticipation is already palpable, with fans from both nations eager to witness what promises to be a series filled with intense rivalry and high-quality cricket.
As the dates draw nearer, players and fans alike are preparing for what could be one of the most memorable clashes in Test cricket history. With each side having much to prove and significant rewards on the line, the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 is set to capture the cricketing world’s attention.
