“They have a habit of making such statements” – Basit Ali on Ricky Ponting predicting Australia will beat India 3-1 in Border-Gavaskar Trophy

Former Pakistan cricketer Basit Ali feels Australians have a habit of making statements after former skipper Ricky Ponting predicted that Australia will beat India by 3-1 in the Border-Gavaskar trophy. India has savoured success in the last two tours of Australia and they will be looking to replicate the same result.

On the other hand, Australia is the number one Test team in the ICC rankings and the Pat Cummins-led team had also beaten India in the World Test Championship final.

Ponting said while talking to the ICC Review that he wouldn’t ever bet against Australia.

Basit Ali said on his YouTube Channel, “Ricky Ponting has said Australia will beat India 3-1. It is a big statement. The mind games have begun. The Indian players and coaches know these mind games very well. India have won the last two Border-Gavaskar series in Australia. There is not much difference between that time and this time, in my opinion.”

Ali cheekily said that Australia could whitewash India if the tourists travel without Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, Rohit, Virat, and Jaiswal.

“I know Australians really well. They have a habit of making such statements. Australia can beat India 5-0 only if India are without Bumrah, Shami, Siraj, Rohit, Virat, and Jaiswal,” he added.

Meanwhile, Ali urged Steve Smith to open the innings against India and said it should be fun. Smith has scored 171 runs in four Test matches at an average of 28 as an opener after David Warner’s retirement.

“Does the Australian team have the courage to prepare a grassy or bouncy track? Will Steve Smith open the batting this time too? He changed his batting position to open against weaker teams. Open the batting now, it will be fun.”

Ali noted that it will be interesting if India add gun fast bowler Mayank Yadav to their squad for the Australia tour. Yadav had impressed with his raw pace in IPL 2024 for Lucknow Super Giants but he was ruled out with an abdominal injury.

The first Test match between India and Australia will be played in Perth from November 22.