Former Test captain Ricky Ponting expects India to struggle in Australia this summer if conditions are conducive to swing bowling. India have had trouble adapting to conditions in Australia in recent years, with the number one ranked Test nation still yet to ever win a series in Australia and without a single Test victory Down Under from their past two Test tours.
Ponting thinks that trend may continue this summer if conditions suit Australia’s bevy of fast bowlers during the four-match series that commences in Adelaide on December 6.
“If the ball does swing around a lot or seam around a lot then I think India will find it difficult in Australia,” Ponting said on Tuesday as Cricket Australia announced a new partnership between BKT Tires and the KFC Big Bash League.
“I think any time we saw India struggle through the England series was when the ball moved.
“As soon as the ball started to move in the air, or seam, the Indian batsmen will always struggle.
“It’s no different to when Australia go to the subcontinent and the ball spins from day one. We always struggle with that as well” he added.
