Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has likened the Australia-India rivalry to the Ashes ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25.
Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting compared the Australia-India rivalry to the Ashes, saying that these matches are among the most anticipated in international cricket ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024–25. Optus Stadium in Perth will host the first Test of the much awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy starting on November 22. Throughout the series, the former Australian captain has pushed both teams to play with a spirit of fair competition. Ponting stated that he expects the matches to be played on the edge of his seat due to the intensity and banter that would be expected throughout the series.
In addition to the history of the Ashes between Australia and England. Australia and India have a long-standing relationship that is not far behind. I believe that we all anticipate these kinds of conflicts. In a recent ICC Review episode, Ponting stated, “As a former player and broadcaster, I want to watch these two teams go out there and play hard and fairly and then see who is left standing at the end of the next five games.”
Ricky Ponting
“I’m not sure if the word “spice” is appropriate, but I anticipate that two of the world’s top teams will play the game practically on the edge, if you will, with neither team wanting to give the other an inch. The World Cup-winning skipper stated, “I don’t want to lose a single match during those entire five Test matches, nor do I want to give the opposition an inch.”
Ponting additionally highlighted the rivalry’s importance. “That’s what makes these fierce rivalry in international sports so wonderful. The 49-year-old went on to say, “Australia-India in a Test match is now as big a rivalry as there is in world sport, not just cricket.”
On November 22, the series will kick off in Perth. From December 6–10, a day-night Test will take place in Adelaide. The Gabba in Brisbane will host the third Test from December 14–18. From December 26 to 30, the Melbourne Cricket Ground will host the customary Boxing Day Test. The fifth and final Test match of the series will take place at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3–7.
Squads for the first Test (Perth):
India:
Rohit Sharma (c), Jasprit Bumrah (vc), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammad Shami, Abhimanyu Easwaran, Shubman Gill, Ravindra Jadeja, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Dhruv Jurel (wk), Sarfaraz Khan, Virat Kohli, Prasidh Krishna, Rishabh Pant (wk), KL Rahul, Harshit Rana, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Mohammed Siraj, and Washington Sundar.
Australia:
Pat Cummins (c), Scott Boland, Alex Carey, Josh Hazlewood, Travis Head, Josh Inglis, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan Lyon, Mitch Marsh, Nathan McSweeney, Steve Smith, and Mitchell Starc.
