Ricky Ponting Believes Australia Can Win The Fourth Test At Gabba As Team India Deals With Injury Concerns

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting believes that Australia hold the aces going into the fourth Test against India at the Gabba. The third Test in Sydney ended with the series still locked at 1-1 as India secured a miraculous draw on the final day. However, Ricky Ponting pointed out the hosts’ formidable record at the Gabba and India’s injury woes behind the reason for advantage Australia.

Earlier, the Indian team was reluctant to travel to play in Brisbane due to fears of being placed in another lockdown. Former cricketers took a dig at India, speculating that they were afraid to play in Brisbane due to Australia’s superior record. However, the BCCI communicated to Cricket Australia that the tour would go ahead as planned. The hosts have not lost a Test at the Gabba since 1988 with the West Indies being the last team to beat them.

Ricky Ponting underlined that India has a couple of significant injury concerns along with Australia’s formidable record that shifts the advantage to the hosts. At the same time, the Tasmanian was aware of Will Pucovski’s shoulder injury that he sustained during day five of the third Test. It remains to be seen whether the shoulder wound has forced him out of the fourth Test.

“Australia will have the edge going to Brisbane. One record, and two, if Will’s Ok then they don’t have to make any changes and if Will’s not, they’ll only have to make one change and they have a pretty dominant performance in this game. India again are going to have a couple of injury concerns out of this game so they’ve got to find another couple of guys to bring in,” Ponting said as quoted by Times of India.

I would assume he’s in serious doubt for Brisbane: Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting further pointed out that with the Test match on the line, Will Pucovski could not return to the field in the last session. Thus, Ponting feels that having been unable to return to the ground to field, signals that his injury remains severe and could be in doubt for Brisbane.

“If you’re a young bloke and the Test match is on the line I know I would have done absolutely everything I could to get back out there. That says to me he probably couldn’t function today then I would assume he’s in serious doubt for Brisbane,” he added.

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