Australia to beat India 3-1: Ricky Ponting on Border-Gavaskar series
The legendary Ricky Ponting believes Australia will beat India by a 3-1 margin in the upcoming five-match Border-Gavaskar series Down Under. Ponting, in a recent interaction with the International Cricket Council (ICC), stated that Australia have a "point to prove" after losing their previous two home Test series to India. Notably, Australia haven't beaten India in a Test series in nearly a decade.
It will be a competitive series: Ponting
"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 two series here," Ponting said on the ICC Review. "We are back to five Tests as well, which is the other really important thing about this series."
India's dominance over Australia
Beating Australia in an away Test series was once a dream for the Indian cricket team. However, the tables have turned, and India are unbeaten against Australia in a Test series since the 2014/15 season. Before the 2023 WTC final, the two sides met in the Border-Gavaskar series earlier that year. India beat Australia 2-1 in a thrilling four-match series at home.
India vs Australia in Tests since the 2014/15 series
Australia last beat India in a Test series in the 2014/15 Border-Gavaskar Trophy (2-0). India avenged the loss with a 2-1 win at home in 2017. The series was embroiled in controversies. India then became the only Asian side with a Test series win in Australia (2018/19). They also won the 2020/21 series Down Under before beating Australia at home (2023).
One of India's greatest Test series wins
India's 2020/21 Test series win Down Under stunned Australia. The visitors bounced back after losing the series opener in Adelaide, where they were bowled out for 36 in the 1st innings. A second-string Indian side, ravaged by perpetual injuries, having suffered their worst batting collapse in Test history, humbled Australia eventually (2-1). This was certainly one of India's greatest Test series wins ever.
Head-to-head record in Tests
India and Australia have clashed in 107 Tests so far, with the latter winning 45. India own 32 wins, while 29 matches have been drawn (one tied match). In 2023, Australia beat India to win the WTC title.
