Ponting provides series prediction for Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The Australian provides his thoughts on how the five-match Test series will pan out at the end of the year.
ICC Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has made an early call on who will win the critical Test series between Australia and India starting later this year and discussed the burning questions each side must answer in coming months.
Australia and India will battle it out in a five-match series commencing in November and the series looms as an important one for both teams in the run into next year's ICC World Test Championship final.
World Test Championship Standings
The team that claims the Border-Gavaskar Trophy could be well poised to earn a place in the one-off final at Lord's - India are currently first and Australia are second in current standings - and Ponting provided his predictions for the series when speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the latest episode of The ICC Review.
Ricky Ponting previews WTC25 series between Australia and India | ICC Review
Tight battle expected Down Under
While India have won the last two Test series in Australia and held the Border-Gavaskar Trophy since they claimed a 4-1 series result on home soil in March 2017, Ponting thinks the hosts might have the edge this time around.
"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 the last two series here," Ponting noted.
"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.
"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."
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Smith conundrum for Australia
Ponting isn't expecting too many surprises with Australia's team for the series, although he is unsure whether veteran batter Steve Smith will continue in his new role as opener.
Smith moved up the order following the departure of David Warner from the Test arena to allow star all-rounder Cameron Green to slot in at his preferred No.4 position and Ponting thinks this will likely continue.
"I think Australia will pretty much pick itself," Ponting suggested.
"Probably the only one question there might be with Australia again, is if (Steve) Smith's the right man to be opening the batting. That would be the only query that I can see there. But that was all about obviously bringing Cameron Green back into the side.
"So I'll rephrase it, not whether Smith's the right man to open the batting but whether he thinks it's the right spot for him. Because I think if he doesn't think it's the right spot then they'll make a change and get someone else back up there."
Highlights – Steve Smith scored his 31st Test century to pile on India's troubles in the ICC World Test Championship Final 2023.
Potential selection bolter for India
India have some quality fast bowlers at their disposal, with Ponting a long-time admirer of the likes of pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and fiery quick Mohammed Siraj.
The Australia great has also been impressed with left-armer Khaleel Ahmed, who claimed 17 wickets during the most recent edition of the Indian Premier League for the Delhi Capitals under the watchful eye of Ponting.
While Khaleel is yet to make his Test debut, Ponting thinks the 26-year-old could be a valuable addition to the touring party given his point of difference to the rest of India's quicks.
"Someone like Khaleel Ahmed I think could find himself on the Test tour," Ponting said.
“I know he's just been over in Zimbabwe recently and played that (T20I) series over there, but a left-armer would be ideal for them to have in their touring squad.
"(Mohammed) Shami will be back fit by then, (Mohammed) Siraj we know will be there abouts somewhere and obviously Bumrah is going nowhere. So both teams are going to line up really, really strongly."
Mohammed Siraj made inroads with the new ball after India won the the toss and opted to bowl first in the ICC World Test Championship Final.
Rivalry building with each series
While Australia's battles with England for the Ashes have long been regarded as the biggest rivalry in Test cricket, Ponting acknowledges the inroads India have made into this space in recent times.
"I think I was a part of it when that really started to grow, when the rivalry really started to grow, was it's right at the back end of my career," Ponting noted.
"And that's when I think India seemingly really started to stand up to the fight and say, OK you're playing against India now, this is a different Indian team, we've got different leaders and different players and we're going to do it whatever we can to beat you guys - whether it's in India or in Australia.
"I've said for the last couple of years now, Australia have always had a fierce rivalry with England, obviously, and a very strong rivalry with South Africa. But I think India is now sitting right on the back of what an Ashes clash is like and probably overtaken the rivalry with South Africa. So I mean, that's probably enough said. The fact that someone like me is looking at it in that way. I'm sure the players look at it in the same way as well and I'm really excited for the summer.
"There'll be a lot of Indian broadcasters out there. There'll be a lot of Indian fans out here. India will bring a really strong team here. And we know Australia are World Test Champions at the moment so it should be a mouth-watering summer again."