BGT 2024/25: Shastri responds to Ponting's 'Australia will win 3-1' remark, backs India to complete hat-trick

India and Australia will lock horns in a five-match Test series, later this year, in Australia. The forthcoming 2024/25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is keenly awaited as it will be the first time since the 1991-92 season that the two heavyweights will square off in a five-match Test series. Recently, former Aussie captain Ricky Ponting made a bold early prediction, calling for the Pat Cummins-led side's 3-1 win. However, former India head coach Ravi Shastri responded to Ponting's remark and backed India to win their third successive Test series on Australian soil.

'REMEMBER, INDIA HAVE BEATEN AUSTRALIA TWICE, IT WILL BE A HAT-TRICK'

Shastri said on the ICC Review Show, "The Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia over five Test matches is going to be a humdinger. Remember, India have beaten Australia twice on the last two tours and Australia have not had a hand on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in almost a decade and that's the reason why everyone will be waiting for these two heavyweights of Test match cricket over the last five to eight years to go head-to-head."

Shastri, under whom India won their maiden Test series in Australia in 2018/19 and replicated the same in 2020/21, further opined, "It is going to be one heck of a series and India have every chance of making it a hat-trick because they've got their bowlers fit and if they can bat well, they can tickle (beat) Australia once again."

The former Indian all-rounder is wary of Australia being desperate to settle scores with India. In this regard, Shastri stated, "We know what Australia will be wanting (revenge). They will be thirsty, they'd be looking to go at the throats of the Indians because they’ve been beaten there (in Australia) twice. The attack is pretty much the same. One of the greatest fast bowling attacks – [one of the greatest] all-round attacks when you add Nathan Lyon there – in a long, long time. And one of the best in the history of the game. They'll be looking for those 20 wickets, game after game to help Australia win the series."

He added, "It's going to be India's batting against the Australian fast bowlers. And of course, the Indian bowling attack is going to be something everyone will be waiting to see. With (Jasprit) Bumrah fit, (Mohammed) Shami fit, you've got Mohammed Siraj there. You've got the likes of (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja and some very good bench strength as well."

India have not lost the BG Trophy since the 2017 edition. In addition, they won the last two Test series on Australian soil. Hence, Aussies won't rule out India by any means and come hard at them.