The Ashes is still the most important competition in Test cricket. It has a long history, some tension, exciting matches, outstanding individual performances, many memories, and more. For Australian and English players, winning an Ashes series is the highest achievement in red-ball cricket.
But there’s another competition that’s getting closer to the same level of excitement and quality as the Ashes, according to the famous Ricky Ponting. He also says it has already surpassed South Africa as Australia’s second toughest opponent in Test cricket.
The Indian cricket team has been dominating Australia in their home games for a while now. But they’ve also shown they can perform just as well on Australian soil.
The Indian team won their last two Test series in Australia and will be back there later this year for a five-match series.
Ponting believes India is giving Australia a tough challenge and thinks the current players agree with him.
“I believe I played a role in the development of the India-Australia rivalry, especially towards the end of my career when it really intensified,” Ponting shared with the ICC.
“That’s when I noticed India really stepping up their game and declaring, ‘Now you’re facing a new Indian team with new leaders and players, and we’ll do everything possible to defeat you, whether we’re in India or Australia’,” he continued.
Ponting, known as one of the best batsmen in the sport, is looking forward to the upcoming Border Gavaskar Trophy.
“For the past few years, I’ve been saying that Australia has always had a strong competition with England, and also a significant rivalry with South Africa. But now, I believe India has become just as important as an Ashes series and might even be more intense than our rivalry with South Africa. That should give you an idea of how significant it is. I’m sure the players feel the same way, and I’m really looking forward to this summer,” Ponting mentioned.
“There will be many Indian broadcasters and fans here. India is bringing a very strong team. And since Australia is currently the World Test Champions, this summer is going to be very exciting,” he continued.
