Gautam Gambhir rips apart Ricky Ponting on Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs AUS Tests

With the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 just days away in Australia, Gautam Gambhir has come out to defend the under-fire seniors, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, as the Indian head coach has strongly reacted to recent criticism from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting.

Not only Ricky Ponting, but the entire cricket world has been heavily criticizing Indian captain Rohit Sharma and batting maestro Virat Kohli for their poor form with the bat after the team was whitewashed by New Zealand in a three-match Test series at home earlier this month.

Gautam Gambhir shuts down Ricky Ponting’s criticism, backs Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to silence doubters on Australia tour

Following Team India’s drubbing, Ponting raised concerns about India's batting lineup, especially Kohli and Rohit—both are going through a lean patch for this year in Test cricket. However, Gautam Gambhir has made it clear that he isn’t swayed by outside voices and remains confident in his players’ proven track records and the hunger they bring to each game.

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Slamming Ponting for his comments on Virat Kohli and Rohit, the Indian head coach advised the legendary cricketer to focus more on Australian cricket than Indian cricket and its players. Gambhir stressed that Team India’s seasoned players are in strong form and fully prepared for the upcoming five-match Test series in Australia.

Gambhir stressed that he has no doubts about the resilience of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, saying the Indian batting icons are ready to make a strong comeback on Australian soil, especially after the lessons learned from their recent Test series defeat against New Zealand at home.

Not concerned about Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma: Gautam Gambhir

Gautam Gambhir said at the press conference: “Not concerned about Kohli, Rohit. What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should look into Australian cricket. They are in good stead; proved players. There is hunger, especially what's happened in the last series.

Ponting should think about Australian cricket and what concerns he has for Indian cricket. The hunger in that dressing room in important for me and I feel there is a lot of hunger. Virat and Rohit will bounce back.”

Gambhir has also pointed out that senior players' experience will be very crucial for the young players in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He added, "We have a lot of experienced players who have played in these conditions. Those inputs will be crucial for the young players."

Read Also: Gautam Gambhir gives a shutup call on Harshit Rana for Border-Gavaskar Trophy

I am not even thinking the team is in transition: Gambhir

Meanwhile, Gambhir has played down any talk of a “transition phase” for Team India, as he expressed confidence in the resilient and ambitious players of the current set-up. The coach said that the term “transition” is irrelevant to the hunger and determination present in the dressing room.

Gambhir assured that Indian cricket is in safe hands, with a core of players ready to push boundaries, conquer challenges, and leave a lasting impact on the game. He noted that the future is one of continuity and achievement, and India is set to thrive on the foundation of both experience and emerging talent.

He further said, “Honestly, I am not even thinking the team is in transition. There are some incredibly tough people in the dressing room who will achieve big things in the future. Transition or no transition, those things will continue to happen in Indian cricket.”

Notably, Rohit Sharma wasn't part of the first group that headed to Australia but will join the second group leaving soon. Players like Shubman Gill, Mohammed Siraj, Washington Sundar, Akash Deep, and Yashasvi Jaiswal are set to arrive in Australia after a stopover in Singapore.