India vs Australia | Ricky Ponting predicts hosts to win Test series 2-1

While most critics favour the visiting Indian team to win the upcoming Test series between Australia and India, a differing voice in Ricky Ponting says that the host will eke out a win even with the truncated batting order. Ponting says that the history favours the hosts as India is yet to win a Test series in Australia even after visiting the country 11 times.

"We're talking 40 years of history with India coming to Australia and not being able to win because of the fast, bouncy nature of our pitches so I'd love to see them that way,” Ponting told cricket.com.au.

The right hander also backed Australian batsman Usman Khawaja to take home the man of the series Trophy. Pointing to his recent exploits against Pakistan Ponting said that Khawaja will also overshadow Indian skipper Virat Kohli this time around.

"He's on top of his game, his record in Australia is outstanding. As much of a threat that the Indian fast bowlers might pose, I think he's got a game that can cope with it here in Australia.

"I'm going with him to be the leading run scorer and man of the series. Right now he's in a really good place, the selectors backed him through that UAE tour, gave him a chance and he came out (better) on the other side of that,” he added.

Ponting had last time predicted Australia to lift the Ashes 4-0 against England and his prediction came right and this time he has guessed a 2-1 scoreline in favour of the hosts even in the absence of mainstream batsmen like Steve Smith and David Warner. A middle order batsman, Ponting also said that if the pitches play more on the faster and bouncier side then the hosts will have the advantage as Indian batsmen tend to struggle on bouncier and fast Australian pitches.

"If it's a wicket in Perth like I saw for the one-dayer against South Africa then I can't see India making too many at all – that was a one-dayer and that (pitch) went all over the shop, with good pace and good bounce,” he said.