Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting said that India won the first Test match against Australia because they opted to bat. The legendary batter also mentioned the previous stats of Perth where in the last four Test matches the team who batted first won all the matches.
India stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah shocked everyone when he opted to bat in Perth. However, Ponting backed Bumrah's decision to opting bat in Perth. The Punjab Kings (PBKS) head coach also praised Indian pacers for their iconic performance against Pat Cummins & Co.
"Australia lost by what? Nearly 300 runs. So, they'll be very disappointed. Everyone asked me on day one when India won the toss about having a bat, and I said, no, absolutely, you have to bat first there. Four test matches have been played there. The team batting first has won all four times. You don't want to go against what stats say. Although they were out for 150, they still got a chance to bowl on the wicket when it was probably at its best to bowl on. And Bumrah in those conditions, and Siraj, and actually all three of them. And Nitesh Reddy. They're all very good. So, you've got to give them credit.
Ponting also believes that the Indian team plays better on foreign wickets and conditions than their home after the Men in Blue registered a dominating 295-run win against Australia to take 1-0 lead in five Test match series.
"I must admit, I didn't think that they could win the first test, India, going there in Perth with conditions that are so foreign to them. But I also made a point going into the test match that I actually think India are a better team away from home now than they are at home. I think they play foreign wickets and conditions better than they play their own conditions now. And I think that's been proven over the last week in Perth," said Ponting on Star Sports.
India are currently practising for the second Test match which will be a Pink Ball Test scheduled to start from December 6. Rohit Sharma who missed the first Test match citing personal reasons has joined the squad and he will lead India in the upcoming assignment which is scheduled to take place in Adelaide Oval.
