Former Australia skipper Tim Paine said India coach Gautam Gambhir overreacted to Ricky Ponting’s comments on the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, even going on to say that Gambhir’s inability to stay calm under pressure should be a worry.
India will take on Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the first Test beginning on November 22 in Perth.
Ponting, during commentary, highlighted Virat Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket, noting that the star batter had managed only two centuries in the last five years. Gambhir, in a press conference before departing for Australia, responded bluntly to Ponting’s analysis, asking the media “what does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket – he should be talking about Australia”.
Paine reacted to the ongoing back-and-forth between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting, saying it does not auger well for India’s prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on November 22 in Perth. The entire issue escalated when Gambhir did not appreciate Ponting’s opinion on Virat Kohli’s form in the last five years. Addressing a press conference before leaving for Australia, Gambhir remarked, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket – he should be talking about Australia.”
“I don’t love it,” Paine told SEN Tassie. “It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question.
“I think he’s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he’s playing against, but Ricky is a commentator now – he’s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely. But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he added.
