‘What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?’ Gambhir defends Kohli amid criticism

India are heading to Australia after a whitewash at home against New Zealand. The result wasn’t expected, and it threw a lot of focus on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. While Rohit repeatedly struggled against pacers, Kohli’s dip in form is now a major concern. 

Since 2020, Kohli has averaged 19.33, 28.21, 26.50, 55.91 and 22.72 in Test cricket over the last five years. In particular, that 22.72 would be concerning given that the former Indian skipper has only been able to put up one fifty or more score across 12 innings. 

That has led to criticism from around the world, including former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting, who said that no other batter would have kept his place in the Indian setup if they posted numbers such as Kohli did. 

"I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he has only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That did not seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that is a concern," Ponting told ICC.

"There would not be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that has only scored two Test match hundreds in five years."

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has now responded to those criticisms, asking, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?”

"I think he [Ponting] should think about Australian cricket and, more importantly, have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. I think they are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in future as well,” Gambhir said in the press conference before travelling to Australia. 

“I think for me, the most important thing is that they still work really hard and they are still passionate, they still want to achieve a lot more, and that is something which is very important. The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me. And for the entire group of people in that dressing room. And I feel there is a lot of hunger, especially after what happened in the last series," Gambhir added. 

Despite the hammering at the hands of New Zealand, Gambhir was confident that India would be ready to fire from ‘ball one’. 

"Challenge is the conditions. Different in India and Australia. Be it support staff or players. If we can get good preparation, nothing like it. We’ve been to Australia many times, so that experience will be crucial. Ready to fire from ball one."

There’s a talk that Harshit Rana could be preferred over other options as India’s fourth pacer option for the Perth Test. Gambhir talked about the Delhi bowler, stating that it is important for him to be fresh, and he’s shown his potential to the management. 

"He’s [Harshit Rana] had enough bowling. Important for a fast bowler to be fresh. Five Test series, so trainers and physios thought he is better off."

Gambhir minced no words in stating that he doesn’t care about individual records, saying that ‘team’ should always come ahead of personal milestones. 

"The only chat I’ve had is to keep Indian cricket ahead of anything else. Team ahead of personal milestones. Team sports is all about that. We’ll keep having the same conversation. The smallest of things will make a huge difference. You’ll have to be boring at times. When you start thinking of the team ahead, everything else takes a backseat," he said.

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