Ponting compares the bowling attack of India and Australia
What's the story
India and Australia are set to lock horns once again in a four-Test series Down Under, late next year. India created history this year when they became the first Asian team to win a Test series Down Under, thanks to their ruthless bowling attack. Meanwhile, former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting shared his views on the bowling attack of these two teams.
Fantastic India
Ponting rates Indian pacers as fantastic, but warns the spinners
Speaking to cricket.com.au, Ponting rated the Indian bowling attack as fantastic, which includes lethal pacers like Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Ishant Sharma. "And, when you put (Ravichandran) Ashwin and (Ravindra) Jadeja in there, their attack is very good. But, their spinners struggle more in Australia, Nathan Lyon has a much better record in Australia than the Indian spinners have," reckoned Ponting.
Quote
I love the variation we have with Mitchell Starc: Ponting
"I love the variation we have with Mitchell Starc in the line-up; that left-armer just provides a little bit of something different. And he's bowling as well as I've ever seen him, so there are some even better signs for this Australian attack," Ponting added.
2018-19 Down Under
Indian bowlers rattle Aussies Down Under to claim historic win
Considering India's performance Down Under last year, the bowlers came up with a phenomenal performance, especially the pacers. Of the 70 wickets claimed by Indians, 50 were claimed by the pacers, while Bumrah topped the list with 21 scalps. As for Australia, they claimed 61 wickets, and 40 were claimed by the pacers. However, spinner Lyon finished with the most (21 scalps).
In 2019
Comparison of Test bowling between India and Australia this year
Considering the bowling performance of both sides in Tests this year, Australia are well ahead. As for India, they claimed 145 wickets, with the pacers taking 95. Shami finished with 33 scalps. As for Australia, they have claimed 177 wickets, with 140 going to pacers, while Pat Cummins leads the chart with 51 scalps.
Author's take
What are India's chances of success in Australia next year?
Considering their previous performance in Australia and the current trend, the Indian pacers have been formidable and the author backs them to play a strong role Down Under next year. As for the spinners, it would certainly be an uphill task. However, their primary target would be to deal with the ongoing batting barrage of David Warner, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.