Ricky Ponting absolutely smothers Gautam Gambhir in latest attack on India Head Coach in Australia

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting continued his attack on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir after his comments on ace batter Virat Kohli. Ricky Ponting said that Gautam Gambhir's criticism of his Virat Kohli comments may be influenced by India’s recent Test series loss against New Zealand.

It all started when Ponting raised concerns over Virat Kohli’s form. Ponting said that Kohli has only scored two Test centuries in the last five years. In response, Gambhir said that Ponting should focus on Australian cricket. Gambhir also defended Kohli and Rohit Sharma despite their poor performances.

For the record, Kohli has struggled to score runs in Tests. He has averaged below 30 in every season since 2020 except one. Kohli has scored only two centuries across 34 Test matches. He scored just 93 runs across six innings at an average under 16 during India's 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home.

He's Just Throwing Me In The Deep End - Ricky Ponting

Speaking on the podcast show 'The Run Home with Joel & Fletch,' Ricky Ponting said that he felt targeted by Gautam Gambhir. Ponting said that Gambhir might be using India’s most experienced players to shift focus back onto him.

“I'm not sure if I mentioned a couple of them, but I reckon he's just throwing me in the deep end, trying to find their two most experienced and make sure when they come out, they put that back on me,” Ponting said.

I Was Concerned About Virat Kohli's Form - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting reiterated his concerns about Virat Kohli’s form, adding that his average has massively dropped. However, Ponting said that the upcoming tour to Australia could provide the perfect opportunity for Kohli to silence his critics, given his strong record in the country.

“I was asked the other night if I was concerned about Virat Kohli's form. A day before, I had read his stats from the last five years, so it was clear in my mind. I think he made only two (three) centuries in the last five years. His average in India is now down to 30 from 90, during this period," Ponting stated.

"So yes, I would be concerned. And I said if you ask him about his form, he would be concerned because it is nowhere near what it used to be. But then I said since he loves playing in Australia and has a great record here, so if there ever was a tour where he could turn things around, it would be this."

The Hair On The Bat Of His Neck Is Standing Up - Ricky Ponting

The former Australia skipper said that Gautam Gambhir might have reacted strongly due to his own frustrations after India's loss to New Zealand. Ponting also said that Gambhir took a chance to fire back at him as they had a bit of history.

"But they never talked about the second part. Then Gambhir went and faced the press having just lost against New Zealand. The hair on the back of his neck is already standing up. We got a bit of history as well, but he took a chance to fire back at me,” he added.

In Australia, Virat Kohli has scored over 1,300 runs at an average of 54.08 in 13 Test matches, including six centuries and four half-centuries. The 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy is set to begin on November 22, with the first Test scheduled to be played in Perth.

Also read: Pat Cummins focussed on ending Rohit Sharma's career in India vs Australia claims Aussie player