Sydney, August 13, 2024: As anticipation builds for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy later this year, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has sparked discussions by predicting a 3-1 victory for Australia over India. This series, set to begin in November, will see the two cricketing giants compete in a five-Test series for the first time since 1991-92, marking a significant event in the cricketing calendar.
India has dominated the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since 2017, securing back-to-back series victories in Australia, a feat no other team has achieved. In the 2018-19 series, India emerged victorious with a 2-1 win under Virat Kohli’s captaincy. The 2020-21 series was even more dramatic, as India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, overcame early setbacks to clinch another 2-1 victory, culminating in a historic win at the Gabba.
However, Ponting believes the tide will turn in Australia’s favor this time. Speaking on the ICC Review Show, Ponting emphasized the significance of Australia playing a five-Test series at home, suggesting that the extended format will play to the strengths of the hosts. “Australia has a point to prove after the last two series. We’re back to five Tests, which I think is crucial. I don’t see many drawn games, and with the weather, I’m predicting a 3-1 win for Australia,” Ponting stated.
The upcoming series is crucial not only for the prestige of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but also for its implications on the World Test Championship (WTC). India, currently eyeing a spot in the WTC final, faces a challenging schedule with nine Tests by the year’s end, beginning with a two-match series against Bangladesh.
Australia’s schedule in the Border-Gavaskar series begins on November 22 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. The series will include a day-night Test in Adelaide, where India suffered a historic low, being bowled out for 36 in 2020. The third Test will take place at the Gabba, a ground where India famously triumphed in 2021. The iconic Boxing Day Test will follow at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), and the series will conclude at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) starting January 3, 2025.
To prepare for the series, India will play a day-night warm-up match against the Prime Minister’s XI, adding another layer of intensity to their preparations. Despite India’s recent successes, Ponting’s prediction reflects the home advantage Australia holds in the upcoming series.
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