Ricky Ponting reckons that the hosts Australia now have a very good chance of defeating and whitewashing India 4-0 in the four-match series now after the visitors suffered an eight-wicket drubbing in the first Test after registering their lowest ever Test score of 36.
India stumbled to a heavy eight-wicket loss in the first Test of the four-match Test series as the batsmen surrendered to quality pace attack of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood on display in the 3rd day’s play.
Ricky Ponting: There Could Be A Good Chance Of A Sweep
On the third day of the first Test, India was bundled out for a paltry 36 in the second innings and Australia was given a mediocre target of 90 runs to win and go 1-0 ahead. Australia chased down the total comfortably inside 21 overs with eight wickets in hand as Joe Burns returned to form.
“Now there’s some serious wounds opened up. There could be a good chance of a sweep. Let’s hope we do get a result in Melbourne and if we do, I think India’s going to find it really hard to bounce back and win a game,” cricket.com.au quoted Ponting as saying.
Skipper Virat Kohli would not be there for the visitors for the remaining three Tests as he heads back home after being granted paternity leave by the BCCI which increases the headache for the visitors.
Ricky Ponting now believes that the real character of the Indian team would now be tested as they will try to bounce back from such a heavy defeat.
Ricky Ponting: Rishabh Pant Should Be Included In Middle Order To Strengthen Batting In Virat Kohli’s Absence
Ricky Ponting also asked the Indian selectors and team management to include wicket-keeper Rishabh Pant in the playing XI in order to further strengthen the batting in Virat Kohli’s absence.
“We’ll learn a lot about them, won’t we? With Kohli not being there as well, there’s almost no-one to pick them back up after a loss like that. They’ve got to make a couple of changes. Rishabh Pant has to be in that middle order. With Kohli not being there they’ve got to strengthen their batting, he’s got to come in,” said Ricky Ponting.
“They’ll look at Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order I’m sure but there’s one thing to make selection changes there’s another to lift the spirits back up again and make sure they’re mentally right for the next challenge because the Australians are not going to go away now. Now they’re getting a bit of a sniff they’re going to go even harder next game,” he added.
India also has a headache while deciding an opener in the second Test. Prithvi Shaw who failed in both innings completely looked out of sorts in the first Test and he managed to score just four runs in the entire match. He is also going through a lean patch but was surprisingly picked ahead of Shubman Gill and KL Rahul.
The Virat Kohli-led side was ahead as the team had a 62-run lead entering the third day of the first Test, but the side squandered the advantage as the batsmen failed to rise to the occasion and Australia made light work of the visitors.
While pacer Josh Hazelwood scalped five wickets, pacer Pat Cummins took four wickets. This score of 36 is India’s lowest-ever score in Test cricket. Before this, India’s lowest score was 42 in Test cricket against England in 1974.
India will also be without Mohammed Shami, who suffered an injury while batting and will miss the remaining 3 Tests for fracturing arm.
India and Australia will now lock horns in the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, beginning December 26 where there will be a selection dilemma of sorts to decide opener, wicketkeeper slots besides Virat Kohli’s replacement.