India was eliminated for its lowest test score of 36 in its second inning, as Australia claimed an eight-wicket victory in the pink ball event to take a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar trophy.
“Now some serious wounds have been opened. There could be a good chance (of a sweep),” Ponting told cricket.com.au.
“Let’s hope we get a result in Melbourne and if we do, I think it will be very difficult for India to recover and win a match.”
India will miss the boss virat Kohli in the remaining three tests when he returns home for the birth of his son and Ponting said it will be a real test for the visitors as they look to pick up the pieces under the captaincy of Ajinkya rahane.
“We will learn a lot about them, right? Since Kohli is not there, there is hardly anyone to get them back after a loss like that,” Ponting said.
India will have to find their best XI by playing for the Boxing Day event, especially after the young starter’s below par performances. Prithvi Shaw, who made 0 and 4, and wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
Ponting is in favor of giving the handsome goalie-hitter Rishabh Pant and the young hitter a chance. Shubman gill in Melbourne.
“They have to make a couple of changes. Rishabh Pant has to be in that middle order. Since Kohli is not there, they have to strengthen his hitting, he has to come in,” he said.
“They will look to Prithvi Shaw at the top of the order I’m sure, but there is one thing to make selection changes and another to lift their spirits again and make sure they are mentally fit for the next challenge because the Australians are not going to go away. go now. ”
“Now that they have smelled a bit, they will try even harder in the next game.”
With Joe Burns returning to form with a 51 of 63 balls and the experienced David Warner and young Will Pucovski, who missed the first test due to a groin injury and a concussion respectively, in the contest for the Test of Melbourne, Australia will have a happy selection. headache.
Ponting believes that Pucovski will have to wait for his debut if Warner is fit for the MCG test.
“If David is in shape, he comes right back … they have to make a decision about (Cameron) Green and (Matthew) Wade. That’s the only obvious thing,” Ponting said.
“If both Pucovski and Warner are fit, I think Will will have to wait again. In the wake of Burns getting fifty, they have to go ahead with him, that’s the right decision and that’s fair enough.
“There are a couple of little things Australians need to think about, but India will have a lot more headaches than they will.”
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