Ricky Ponting plays mind games before MCG Test; says Australia could clean-sweep India

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting reckons that hosts w have a very good chance of defeating India 4-0 in four-match series w after visitors suffered an eight-wicket drubbing in first Test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday. Indian batsmen were completely outclassed by Australian pace duo of Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood as ir second innings was wrapped up for just 36/9 within blink of an eye.

'Some serious wounds opened up': Ricky Ponting

second Test match will be played next Saturday at Melbourne Cricket Ground. However, it seems that 'Punter'  has decided to indulge in some pre-match mind games ahead of all-important 'Boxing Day' Test match by saying that this loss would demoralize Indian team going forward and that y could end up suffering a white-wash in four-match series. 

"w re's some serious wounds opened up. re could be a good chance of a sweep. Let's hope we do get a result in Melbourne and if we do, I think India's going to find it really hard to bounce back and win a game," cricket.com.au quoted Ponting as saying.

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Team India look to rise from shambles 

Team India will have to put this humiliating loss behind and focus on leveling series next week and what really makes things more complicated for visitors is unavailability of ir skipper Virat Kohli who will be heading back to India to be with his better half Anushka Sharma as couple is expecting birth of ir first child in January. Kohli has been granted paternity leave by Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI). 

onus is w on Virat's Test deputy Ajinkya Rahane to lead team from front in remainder of series. Apart from batting megastar's absence, ar thing that will be putting Border-Gavaskar Trophy holders in a spot of bor is injury to one of ir key pacers Mohammed Shami. 

Shami ended up fracturing his bowling wrist while he was batting during second innings of recently-concluded Test match. He was struck by a vicious delivery from Pat Cummins and appeared to be in deep discomfort. physio had come to attend him but tail-ender was in position to bat and had to retire hurt. He did t even come out to bowl in fourth innings. 

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