Ricky Ponting didn’t hold back on Gautam Gambhir’s criticism, calling the India head coach a ‘prickly character’.
Although the Border-Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India is only a few days away, it appears like Ricky Ponting and Gautam Gambhir are at war. The India head coach poorly received Ponting’s remarks on underperforming Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, advising the former Australia captain to stick with his own squad. In his response to Gambhir’s remarks during the press conference prior to the team’s trip to Australia, Ponting has now also called the India head coach a “prickly character.”
Ponting also made it clear that he did not intend his remarks about Virat to be offensive or critical. The great from Australia believes the Indian player will get back to his former level and do well in the Down Under, where he has also excelled in the past.
“It wasn’t a jab at Kohli in any manner. In fact, I went on to suggest that he had performed well in Australia and would be eager to return here.”I’m sure Virat would be a little worried about the fact that he hasn’t been able to earn as many hundreds as he has in past years,” he remarked.
During a pre-series news conference on Monday, a reporter told Gambhir about Ponting’s remarks. He responded scathingly to the Australian great’s comments against Rohit and Kohli.
“What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?” Gambhir had stated. “He ought to consider Australian cricket. Kohli and Rohit are extremely difficult individuals who have accomplished a great deal for Indian cricket and will continue to do so in the future.
Ponting had questioned Kohli’s position in the team due to his poor Test form, which prompted Gambhir to make his remarks during the press conference.
“The other day, I came across a statistic regarding Virat. According to the report, he has only amassed two Test hundreds in the previous five years. I didn’t think it was correct, but if it’s true, then that’s a problem,” Ponting had stated. “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.”
Sledging Begins – India Told They Won’t Be Able To “Stand Up” vs Australia In Border Gavaskar Trophy
