India coach Gautam Gambhir has told Ricky Ponting to mind his own business.
Gambhir is upset after Ponting — an Australian cricket great and star Channel 7 commentator — made some observations about the deteriorating form of beloved Indian legend Virat Kohli and the team’s captain, Rohit Sharma.
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A recent in-depth study of Kohli’s Test form showed how far the great had fallen. Over the past five years he’s been averaging under 30 (apart from last year where he averaged 55.91).
His average at home from 2016-19 was 86, but since 2019 has dropped to 30. And his last Test century came in 2023 against the West Indies.
Ponting was staggered when he saw the 36-year-old’s recent numbers and told the ICC Review it was an issue.
“I saw a stat the other day about Virat. It said he’s only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that’s a concern,” Ponting said.
“There wouldn’t be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that’s only scored two Test match hundreds in five years.
“I’ve said it before about Virat, you don’t ever question the greats of the game. There’s no doubt, he’s a great of the game. He loves playing against Australia.
“In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record (in Australia) is very good.
“If there’s a time for him to turn it around, it’d be this series … So, I wouldn’t be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game.”
Despite Ponting’s obvious diplomacy, Gambhir was incensed.
“What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be talking about Australia,” he said.
“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.”
India has arrived in Australia after losing to New Zealand in a shock series whitewash.
Kohli made one score of 70 but he could only manage 23 runs from his other five innings (with a duck and a pair of ones in the mix).
Sharma’s best score during the series was 52 and he also made failed to make any other meaningful contribution.
“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,” Gambhir said.
“The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me and for the entire group of people as well especially after what has happened in the last series.”