Ricky Ponting hails India’s rivalry with Australia as new Test classic, claims historic Ashes rivalry in danger

As the iconic Ashes series, long celebrated as the game’s most intense rivalry between England and Australia, is now being formidably challenged by India’s relentless rise on the global stage, Ricky Ponting has shared his take on the latest rivalry.

Ponting has pointed out that the late stages of his career were the turning point when India began to challenge Australia with renewed vigor and determination, turning the on-field battle into an intense rivalry that’s now challenging their historic rivalry with Ashes opponent England.

Ricky Ponting predicts epic showdown in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 as India threatens to outclass Australia’s Ashes rivalry

The legendary captain and batter further noted that he always spoke highly of Australia’s historic rivalries with England and South Africa because of their intensity and tradition, but these are now facing stiff competition from India, thanks to their growing dominance across the formats.

Ponting claimed that India’s rise has potentially surpassed the intensity of Australia’s rivalries with South Africa, but he still feels there is no match for the Ashes rivalry with England. The former Australian skipper said that the Kangaroos rivalry with India is right behind their Ashes rivalry with England.

He further predicted that the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 will be a spectacle for the fans, with India bringing a formidable squad to challenge the World Test Champions, Australia.

As the fans are eager for a vibrant five-match Test series, Ponting said that the rivalry between India and Australia is intensifying with every series between them and the upcoming five-match Test series will be more mouth-watering than the last Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

It should be a mouth-watering summer again: Ponting on AUS vs IND Test Series

Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by the ICC Review: “I think I was a part of it when that really started to grow; when the rivalry really started to grow, it was right at the back end of my career. And that's when I think India seemingly really started to stand up to the fight and say, OK, you're playing against India.

Now, this is a different Indian team; we've got different leaders and different players, and we're going to do whatever we can to beat you guys, whether it's in India or in Australia. I've said for the last couple of years now that Australia has 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 has probably overtaken the rivalry with South Africa. I'm really excited for the summer. 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.”

Notably, Khaleel Ahmed has not made his Test debut yet, but Ponting believes the 26-year-old could bring a unique advantage to the Indian squad due to his distinct style compared to the other fast bowlers and he should be part of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.