Ricky Ponting's Bold India vs Australia Series Prediction Amid WTC Standings Shake Up

Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 between India and Australia, former skipper Ricky Ponting predicted that the Baggy Greens will dominate the Rohit Sharma-led side in the five-match series. Ponting predicted a 3-1 triumph when quizzed on the series result in August and the former Australia captain still feels comfortable with his decision after watching India's recent series defeat to New Zealand and the loss of key pacer Mohammed Shami to injury for the upcoming tour.

Speaking with host Sanjana Ganesan on the most recent episode of The ICC Review, Ponting said the absence of Shami from India's squad would make it more difficult for the tourists to claim the 20 wickets required to win a Test match Down Under.

"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.

Although the Aussie legend admitted that India might sneak in a win at some point in the five-match Test series, Ponting stuck by his overall series prediction.

"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.

Moving on to the players we could see in the upcoming series in Australia, Ponting was uncertain about who the top-scorer could be,