Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting thinks India will be eager to win the series but a confident Australia will beat Virat Kohli’s men 2-1 in the three-match ODI series starting on Tuesday. The Aaron Finch-led side is currently high on confidence after an unprecedented home summer that saw Australia register a comprehensive series win over Pakistan and New Zealand. India, on the other hand, will look to avenge their 2-3 loss to Australia at home in March last year.

Ricky Ponting shared his views on the social networking site Twitter. When a user asked him to predict the result of the ODI series, Ponting supported his side as the winner.

“Australia will be full of confidence after an excellent World Cup and a great summer of Test cricket but India will be keen to redeem themselves from the last ODI series loss against Australia. Prediction: 2-1 Australia,” Ponting tweeted.

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The in-form Marnus Labuschagne is all set to make his ODI debut against India after earning his maiden ODI call-up at the back of his stunning form in Test matches. He has scored four tons in five Tests, including a double century against New Zealand. However, Ponting said he will carry his great form in the upcoming series as well.

“I think he’ll do a great job for Australia in the middle-order. He’s a very good player of spin, a very good runner between the wickets, gun in the field and can bowl some handy leg-spin, so the overall package is very appealing,” he added.

The second ODI of the series will be played in Rajkot on January 17 while the third one will take place in Bengaluru on January 19.