"That's the way he's": Sourav Ganguly sides with 'fighter' Gautam Gambhir amid Ricky Ponting feud

Former India National Cricket Team captain and the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) president, Sourav Ganguly, has shared his views on the feud between Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting.

Sourav Ganguly said that there was nothing wrong with what Gautam Gambhir said about Ricky Ponting and the India head coach is allowed to make blunt remarks whenever he wants to.

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Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting engaged in a feud over Virat Kohli

The feud between Ricky Ponting and Gautam Gambhir started after the former commented on the poor form of Virat Kohli.

Gautam Gambhir was asked about Ponting's comments during a press conference and he said that the Australia great should focus on his country rather than commenting on Kohli.

Ponting then came up with a sharp response and doubled down on his comments on Kohli and took a dig at Gambhir for India losing the Test series against New Zealand at home.

Meanwhile, Gautam Gambhir is currently under tremendous pressure as Team India have not been at their very best under his guidance, particularly in longer formats.

In T20Is, India have been doing an exceptional job, but the same can't be said about ODIs and Tests. Under Gautam Gambhir, India faced a shocking 0-2 ODI series loss against Sri Lanka.

Things started off smoothly for Gambhir in Tests as India comfortably beat Bangladesh 2-0 on home turf but the subsequent series against New Zealand turned out to be a nightmare for the head coach.

India National Cricket Team faced a 0-3 sweep against the New Zealand National Cricket Team, which was the first such instance in the history of Indian Test cricket. It was also the first Test series that India lost at home in 12 years.

When he won the IPL, he was the same. You were going gaga over him - Sourav Ganguly

During an interaction on RevSportz, Sourav Ganguly was asked about Gambhir receiving a lot of flak after the series defeat against New Zealand.

Responding to this, the legendary India skipper said that Gambhir should not be judged this early in his tenure and he should be allowed to express himself. Ganguly added that Gambhir always fights for his team and there is nothing wrong with his recent comments. Sourav Ganguly elaborated:

"All I will say is let him be. I saw some criticism on what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Let him be. When he won the IPL, he was the same. You were going gaga over him. Just because he has lost three Test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is.

"And why not? Australians, from the time I have watched cricket, they have been tough for you. They have played their cricket that way, whether it was [Steve] Waugh, [Ricky] Ponting or [Matthew] Hayden. So, there is nothing wrong with what Gambhir has said. That is the way he is, and he fights. He competes, so let us give him a chance. It has just been two-three months, and you are passing judgement on him."

Let him say whatever he likes, for that will help him - Sourav Ganguly

Gautam Gambhir has been targeted by Australians like Tim Paine amid his feud with Ponting, but Ganguly reckons that Gambhir should be allowed to say whatever he likes.

He added that the next nine months will be challenging for Gautam Gambhir and the fans should give him a chance and not be too hard on him. Sourav Ganguly stated:

"No problem whatsoever. Let him say whatever he likes, for that will help him. Ultimately you have to go and play the game hard. That is the way it is, and it has happened for ages against Australian cricket teams. That makes this series even more competitive and even more followed by people. So let it be. Let’s give Gambhir a chance. You have given him a job. In two months, you cannot pass a judgement on him.

"I know the next nine months, it will be very hard for him. Five Test matches in England. Champions Trophy. It will decide Gambhir. So, from my point of view, give him a chance and do not be too hard on him."