India’s damage woes and Australia’s formidable report at Gabba will give the hosts an upper-hand within the series-deciding fourth and last Test in Brisbane, reckons former skipper Ricky Ponting.
The Indian batting unit displayed large grit on Monday because it held on for a memorable draw in opposition to Australia within the third Test to go away the collection levelled at 1-1. The last Test begins on January 15.
However, the match noticed star all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja struggling a thumb fracture and Hanuma Vihari, who batted for 160 balls for his 23, undergo a hamstring damage. The duo will miss the final Test.
Australia too have their share of damage worries with younger debutant Will Pucovski awaiting a scan outcome after injuring his proper shoulder in the course of the match.
“Australia will have the edge going to Brisbane,” Ponting advised cricket.com.au.
“One, (Australia’s Gabba) report and two, if Will’s OK then they gained’t should make any adjustments and if Will’s not they’ll solely should make one change and so they have had a fairly dominant efficiency on this sport.
“India again are going to have a couple of injury concerns out of this game so they’ve got to find another couple of guys to bring in.”
Australia has gained 33, drawn 13, tied 1 and misplaced 8 out of the 55 matches performed on the floor.
India must rejig their mixture if Jadeja and Vihari miss the Brisbane Test.
“If they were to play another batter, they could play that batter at five and Rishabh (Pant) stays at six and (Wriddhiman) Saha can come in at seven. That looks pretty good to me,” Ponting stated.
Talking about Pucovski, the previous skipper stated: “The factor I’m apprehensive about with (Pucovski), a man enjoying his first Test match, to not be again out within the discipline on the finish of the day – to me that’s an actual fear.
“If you’re a younger bloke and the Test match is on the road I do know I’d have performed completely all the pieces I might to get again on the market. That says to me he most likely couldn’t perform correctly and if he couldn’t perform immediately then I’d assume that he’s in severe doubt for Brisbane.
