India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has strongly defended star players Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli following recent comments by former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who raised concerns about their form.
Speaking at a press conference on Monday, ahead of India’s departure for their Australia tour, Gambhir dismissed Ponting’s remarks as unnecessary and unrelated to Indian cricket.
“What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?” Gambhir questioned pointedly. “He should be talking about Australia.”
Ponting’s comments came during an episode of the ICC Review, where he highlighted the declining Test numbers of India’s batting stalwarts. He pointed out that Kohli has managed only three Test centuries in the last five years and Rohit has also struggled for runs in red-ball cricket, with just 91 runs in the recent Test series against New Zealand.
“There probably wouldn’t be anyone else still playing international cricket as a top-order batsman who’s only scored two Test match hundreds in five years,” Ponting remarked, calling Kohli’s form “a concern.”
Kohli’s struggles were evident in India’s 3-0 Test series defeat against New Zealand, where he scored just 93 runs across six innings.
Despite these numbers, Gambhir remains confident in the abilities of his experienced players. “Look, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years,” he said.
Gambhir stressed that the duo’s hunger for success has not diminished and that they remain key to India’s plans. “My role is to ensure that their hunger is still there and they continue to work really hard,” he added.
The head coach also acknowledged the contributions of the rest of the squad, emphasizing his focus on team improvement. “Even the other players are doing a fine job, and I am sure we will improve as a group. I have no concerns regarding Virat and Rohit.”
India’s tour of Australia is a critical one, as the team looks to bounce back from their recent Test series loss against New Zealand. Rohit and Kohli, despite their struggles, remain the pillars of India’s batting lineup. Gambhir’s vocal support sums up his belief that the seasoned campaigners can rediscover their form and deliver on the big stage.
While Ponting’s comments may have stirred debate, Gambhir’s unwavering backing of his star players sends a clear message of confidence and unity as the team gears up for the challenges ahead.
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