XtraTime Web Desk: Except skipper Virat Kohli most of the other Indian batsmen failed to do well in the recently concluded five-match test series in England where they lost by 1-4. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting opened up about the problems of the Indian batsmen with the moving ball and he feels that India will struggle in Australia as well if the conditions would favour swing bowling. India will face Australia in the first test at the Adelaide on December 6. India still haven’t won any test series in Australia and as per Ponting if the Aussie pacers gets swing and movement the trend would continue.
“If the ball does swing around a lot or seam around a lot then I think India will find it difficult in Australia,” Ponting was quoted as saying by cricket.com.au.
“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,” added the former Aussie skipper.
“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.”
However, despite his doubts about India’s chances in Australia, Ponting came to the defence of Virat Kohli’s captaincy that came under scrutiny following the Indian team’s loss in England.
“I’ve never sat back and tried to analyse what playing captains do as I know when I was captain on field is about 30 or 40 percent of what you need to be in control of,” Ponting said.
“The rest of it happens behind closed doors or in the change rooms and quite often back in the hotel when you’ve got time to yourself.
“Trying to find ways to spend time with your teammates, learn about them inside out and trying to find a way to make them perform better on the field.
“It’s not so much about a bowling change or a field placement as that part of the game is highly overrated as far as I’m concerned.
“The tactical stuff is normally worked out a few days before the game and then you go with your gut instinct about the game out on the ground once the game starts.”
India will head to Australia in November where they will first play a three-match T20I series, which will be followed by a four-Test series and then a three-match ODI series to finish things off in January.