Ricky Ponting comment sparks furious response from India coach

Comments from Ricky Ponting about Indian superstar Virat Kohli have prompted a furious response from India’s cricket coach.

Ricky Ponting has clarified his concerns around the form of Virat Kohli after India’s coach bristled at the Aussie legend’s comments, urging him to focus on Australia.

India coach Gautam Gambhir on Monday backed “incredibly tough men” Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to prove their critics wrong and find form in Australia.

Skipper Rohit and superstar batsman Kohli came under fire after India crashed to a humiliating 3-0 Test series home defeat to New Zealand.

Rohit scored 91 runs in three matches. Kohli made just 93.

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Kohli’s average in Test cricket over the past three years has dipped significantly, but he has posted six centuries in his 13 Test innings in Australia.

“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 told the ICC Review podcast.

“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.”

India coach Gautam Gambhir bristled at Ponting’s comments.

Rohit is in doubt for the first Test against Australia as his wife is expecting a child.

Speaking just before India flew off to Australia for a blockbuster five-match Test series, Gambhir said he had “no concerns for Virat and Rohit”.

“They are incredibly tough men,” he said.

“They’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well.”

Gambhir hit out at Ponting after the former Australian captain questioned the longer-term form of the two senior batsmen.

“What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be talking about Australia,” Gambhir said in his farewell press conference.

Gambhir said the Indian team as a whole were eager to prove themselves after the New Zealand defeat, only their second Test series whitewash at home.

“I feel there is a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series,” he said.

Ponting said it wasn’t a dig at Kohli. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP)

Explaining his comments, Ponting said they weren’t meant as a personal attack on Kohli.

“I was surprised to read the reaction but knowing the coach, Gautam Gambhir ... he’s quite a prickly character, so I’m not surprised it was him who said something back,” Ponting told 7News.

“I said I would be concerned (about Kohli’s form).

“But I think if you ask Virat, I’m sure Virat would be a little bit concerned that he hasn’t been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years.

“In no way was it a dig at him. I actually followed it up by saying he’s played well in Australia and he’ll be keen to bounce back over here.

“So, it’s amazing how little things can get cut up, but he’s a class player and he’s played well in Australia in the past.”

Ponting added he had “a bit of history” with Gambhir after coming up against him in the Indian Premier League.

India's Virat Kohli is under pressure to score runs. (Photo by IDREES MOHAMMED / AFP)

Gambhir believes the biggest challenge in Australia will be the quicker pitches compared to India, where conditions are traditionally spin-friendly.

But Gambhir said his side was ready to “fire from ball one” in a series that starts in Perth on November 22.

“We’ve been to Australia many times, so that experience will be crucial,” said the coach, who has also faced some flak.

“If we play to our potential, we play our best cricket, we can beat anyone on any wicket.”

Kohli and Indian skipper Rohit Sharma aren’t the only senior players under pressure to score runs.

Steve Smith scored three centuries in 2023 but none last summer in series against the West Indies, Pakistan and New Zealand in a rare dry spell for the Aussie.

Marnus Labuschagne hasn’t scored a century in two years after his hot patch of form ended with his 10th Test century in December 2022.

— With AFP