Gautam Gambhir slams Ricky Ponting as he backs Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma ahead of BGT 2024-25

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma struggled for runs during the home test series against New Zealand.

India’s senior batsmen Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have recently struggled with their form in the longest format of the game. Virat and Rohit contributed only 93 and 91 runs respectively in India’s shocking whitewash defeat against New Zealand at home.

The inconsistency of India’s star batting pair has emerged as a major concern for the team ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. India face the monumental task of winning four out of five test matches in Australia if they are to make it to the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) final on their own.

Leave that aside – winning a single test match in Australia without the contribution from these two seems an improbable task.

Ponting’s criticism of Kohli’s form

In his latest ICC Review, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting expressed concerns about Kohli’s recent record, particularly his lack of centuries in recent years in test cricket. Ponting shared his disbelief by stating that any other player with a similar record would have been dropped from the team.

Ponting remarked, “I saw a stat the other day about Virat—it said he’s only scored two (three) test hundreds in the last five years.”

The former Australian captain continued, “That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is accurate, then that’s, I mean, that’s a concern. 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.”

Gambhir hits back at Ponting

Speaking to reporters in his pre-departure press conference on Monday, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir hit back at Ponting and emphasized his support for the two senior-most batsmen in the side.

Gambhir said, “What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be talking about Australia. Look, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more.”

Gambhir expressed confidence and asserted that he has no concerns regarding the recent form of Rohit and Kohli.

“Even the other players are doing a fine job, and I am sure we will improve as a group. I have no concerns whatsoever for Rohit and Virat. They are incredibly tough men and have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and will continue to do so,” the coach added.

The first test will kick off on November 22 in Perth.

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