Australia cricketing legend Ricky Ponting predicted that the hosts Australia will win the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 because they have a bit to prove against India in Australia considering their last defeat on their home soil. India are currently on a two-series winning streak and Rohit Sharma & Co. will look for a hattrick to qualify for the final of the World Test Championship.
Speaking to ICC, Ponting stated it would be a competitive series, considering India's recent exploits on Aussie soil. Having said that, he predicted the score would be in favour of the hosts, expecting them to swat aside the visitors by 3-1. The Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024 is scheduled to start from November 22 and the fifth Test will take place on January 3.
"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 the last two series here," Ponting said.
"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," he added.
Team India will face Bangladesh and New Zealand before the Border-Gavaskar Trophy where India veteran speedster Mohammed Shami will make his international comeback.
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5-match Test series will be held in Australia
After overcoming Bangladesh and New Zealand, Team India will go on its Australia tour. The result of the five-Test series (Border-Gavaskar Trophy) on Australian soil will largely depend on India's entry into the WTC final. Team India will play the first match of this series in Perth from November 22, the second Test in Adelaide from December 6, the third Test in Brisbane from December 14, the fourth Test in Melbourne from December 26 and the final Test match in Sydney from January 3. After this Test series, Team India will again start preparing for the 2025 ICC Champions Trophy.
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