Former Pakistan player Basit Ali recently reacted to Ricky Ponting’s statement on the outcome of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia. The five-match Test series will be played from November 22 in Australia. In the recent edition of the ICC Review, Ponting said that Australia will beat India by a 3-1 margin.

Basit said that former Australian players have a habit of playing mind games ahead of an important series.

Ali highlighted India’s two consecutive Test series victories in Australia.

“Ricky Ponting has said that Australia will win 3-1 against India. It is a big statement as the mind games have started. The Indian players and the coaches know about these tactics.

“India have won the last two editions of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. There will not be much difference between that time and this time,” he said.

Basit remarked that Australia could whitewash India only if Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj, and Yashasvi Jaiswal were not available.

“I know Australians. They have a habit of making big statements. Australia can beat India 5-0 if India travel without Virat, Rohit, Yashasvi, Bumrah, Shami, and Siraj.”