India vs Australia 2018: Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath to Lead Channel 7 Commentary

India will begin its twelfth tour to Australia on November 21st with first of the three T20Is at the Gabba, Brisbane. Meanwhile, the two legendary cricketers, Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath will lead Channel 7 commentary team during the long series.

Ponting, McGrath to join commentary panel

Though the duo of Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath were India’s nemesis during their playing days, they would keep things interesting on the upcoming tour but behind the glass. However, Virat Kohli-led India team has landed Down Under and would play three T20Is, four Tests and three ODIs.

Always has time for his fans! #TeamIndia Captain @imVkohli poses for a few pics here in Brisbane ??? pic.twitter.com/RjiLQZnR0T

— BCCI (@BCCI) November 17, 2018

Speaking of India’s performance in 2018, they lost the Tests in England and South Africa but had been dominant in the limited-overs cricket. Australia, on the other hand, has had a torrid run in international cricket since the ball-tampering debacle took place in South Africa early this March.

Of late, they lost the ODI and one-off T20I against South Africa at home, whereas, India had beaten the Windies across formats during their previous tour. Meanwhile, on the forthcoming series, many of the experts have termed team India ‘favourite’.

According to a report in InsideSport, the “New Home for Cricket in Australia,” which brought to an end the four-decade reign of Channel 9 on Australian cricket with a $450 million joint bid with Fox Cricket, Seven is all prepared for its first significant assignment this summer Down Under.

However, the duo will be spearheading the panel of former Australian cricketers

Moreover, apart from Ricky Ponting and Glenn McGrath, Michael Slater, Damien Fleming, Simon Katich would be the other members in the panel. Also, there are Bruce McAvaney, Dirk Nannes, Lisa Sthalekar, James Brayshaw, Mel McLaughlin, Andy Maher, and Abbey Gelmi joining the legends mentioned above of the game.

Meanwhile, Seven had faced some criticism for the promotional video for the series, as it features the big names of the commentary panel. According to a report in news.com.au, the Ad featuring Ricky Ponting, Glenn McGrath and other leading faces in the Seven commentary team is “awkward.” It said,

“the cricket legends featuring in the ad are the real victims as Aussie sports commentators are crying foul of the promotion designed to show-off Seven’s world-class commentary team and its free-to-air coverage of the Aussie summer of cricket.”