Ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-2025, Hall of Famer Ricky Ponting has compared the Australia-India rivalry to that of the Ashes, saying these battles are among the most anticipated battles in the world of cricket. The first Test of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy will be played at Optus Stadium in Perth from November 22. The former Australian captain has urged both teams to maintain a competitive but fair spirit throughout the series. Speaking about the intensity and banter expected during the series, Ponting said he expects the matches to be played on the edge.
“Australia-England, with the history of the Ashes, but Australia-India is not far behind that and it has been built up over a long period of time. I think we are all looking forward to these kinds of battles. As a player from the past, as a commentator I want to see these two teams play hard and fair and then see who is left standing at the end of the next five matches,” Ponting said during a recent episode of the ICC Review.
“I don't know if spice is the right word, but I expect the game to be played almost on the edge, if you like, with two of the best teams in the world not willing to give an inch to each other. “I don't want an inch giving in to the opposition, not wanting to lose a single match in the course of those entire five Test matches,” said the World Cup-winning captain.
Ponting also emphasized the importance of the rivalry. “That's the beauty of this great rivalry in world sport. Australia-India in a Test match is now as great a rivalry as there is in world sport, and not just in cricket,” the 49-year-old added.
The series kicks off in Perth on November 22, followed by a day-night test in Adelaide from December 6 to 10. The third Test will take place at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14 to 18. The traditional Boxing Day Test is held. at the Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26 to 30. The series will conclude with the fifth and final Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.
Selections 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, 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, Mitchell Starc.
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