(PTI Photo)
The Ashes stands as the premier rivalry in Test cricket, steeped in a rich history that includes intense competition, unforgettable individual feats, and a wealth of memorable moments. For both Australian and English cricketers, securing an Ashes series victory represents the ultimate achievement in red-ball cricket.
According to the legendary Ricky Ponting, there’s a rivalry that’s coming close to matching the intensity and quality of the Ashes. He asserts that this competition has even surpassed South Africa as Australia’s second most formidable opponent in Test cricket.
The Indian cricket team, long dominant on their home turf, has also demonstrated their prowess in Australia in recent years. They have triumphed in their last two Test tours of Australia and will be returning later this year for a five-match series.
Ponting notes that India has been posing a significant challenge to Australia and believes that the current players also share this perspective.
“I think I was a part of it when that (IND-AUS rivalry) really started to grow, when the rivalry really started to grow was it’s right at the back end of my career,” Ponting told ICC.
“And that’s when I think India seemingly really started to stand up to the fight and say, ‘OK you’re playing against India now, this is a different Indian team, we’ve got different leaders and different players and we’re going to do it whatever we can to beat you guys – whether it’s in India or in Australia’,” he added.
Ponting, regarded as one of the greatest batsmen in cricket history, is eagerly anticipating the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
“I’ve said for the last couple of years now, Australia have always had a fierce rivalry with England, obviously, and a very strong rivalry with South Africa. But I think India is now sitting right on the back of what an Ashes clash is like and probably overtaken the rivalry with South Africa. So I mean, that’s probably enough said. The fact that someone like me is looking at it in that way. I’m sure the players look at it in the same way as well and I’m really excited for the summer,” Ponting said.
“There’ll be a lot of Indian broadcasters out there. There’ll be a lot of Indian fans out here. India will bring a really strong team here. And we know Australia are World Test Champions at the moment so it should be a mouth-watering summer again,” he added.
