India’s tour of Australia is scheduled to be commencing in a couple of weeks with the three-match ODI series followed by as many T20Is and will conclude with 5 weeks of a four-match Test series. India and Australia will play 4 Test matches, starting on December 17, which will end of January 17. While the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli will miss the last three Tests as he will be flying back to India after the Day/Night Test in Adelaide, to be with his wife Anushka Sharma for the birth of their first child.

Former Australian skipper, Ricky Ponting reckons that it, indeed, will be a big blow for the touring Indian team. Ponting pointed out that Kohli’s absence will hurt Team India as Steve Smith and David Warner’s absence was felt in the 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy.

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As per the quotes in cricket.com.au., Ponting said, “The one thing we haven’t spoken enough about is yes India was really good here last time. India will feel that without Kohli there (for three Tests), for his batting and leadership, that’ll put all sorts of pressure on different players. You’d think (Ajinkya) Rahane will take over the captaincy, which will put extra pressure on him, and they’ve got to find someone to bat at that really important No.4 spot.”

Ponting further explained that it’s not just the absence of Kohli’s leadership that will hurt the visiting team, but also that India’s batting order will suffer the most. The World Cup-winning skipper reckons that while Australia’s selection issues are talked about, it won’t be any easier for Team India.

Ricky Ponting explained, “I don’t think they’ll be clear in their own mind, even now, what their batting order will look like for the first Test. Who’s going to open, who’ll bat at four when Kohli goes? The questions that are being asked around Australia with Pucovski and Green, I think India have got a few more questions to answer.”

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He further added, “(Fast bowlers Mohammad) Shami, Jasprit Bumrah will it be Ishant (Sharma), with it be Umesh Yadav, will it be a young guy like (Navdeep) Saini or (Mohammad) Siraj? They’ve got a lot of questions to ask as well. And which spinner? They’ve got a few spinners in their squad and they’ve got to figure out which one to pick for the pink-ball game in Adelaide.”