Ricky Ponting Talks About India and Australia’s Growing Cricket Rivalry

Former Australian skipper and batter Ricky Ponting recently shared his thoughts on the growing rivalry between India and Australia. He said that the contests between these two nations are now almost as important and fierce as the Ashes clashes between Australia and England.

The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy will begin with the First Test, a day match, at Perth Stadium from November 22 to November 26. India has won its last two series in Australia, held in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Ponting acknowledged that while Australia’s battles with England for the Ashes have long been regarded as the biggest rivalry in Test cricket, India has made significant inroads in recent times. He said, “I have said for the last couple of years now, Australia have always had a fierce rivalry with England, obviously, and a very strong rivalry with South Africa. But I think India is now sitting right on the back of what an Ashes clash is like and probably overtaken the rivalry with South Africa.”

Ponting added, “There will be a lot of Indian broadcasters out there. There will be a lot of Indian fans out here. India will bring a really strong team here. And we know Australia are World Test Champions at the moment so it should be a mouth-watering summer again.”

The Australian legend mentioned that India started making more inroads and getting more wins in the rivalry during the early 2010s, when he was at the back end of his career. He noted, “I think I was a part of it when that really started to grow, when the rivalry really started to grow, was it is right at the back end of my career.”

The Second Test will take place at Adelaide Oval from December 6 to 10, featuring an exciting day-night format. The Third Test will be held at The Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18. The series will continue with the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground from December 26-30, and conclude with the Fifth Test at Sydney Cricket Ground from January 3 to 7.