As excitement for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy ramps up, an unexpected tension has emerged off the field between former cricket captains Ricky Ponting and Gautam Gambhir. What began as a seemingly routine pre-series analysis by Ponting turned into a tense exchange with India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, after Ponting questioned Virat Kohli’s recent form. This prompted Gambhir to defend Kohli and fire back at Ponting, telling him to focus on his own team rather than questioning India’s star players. Here’s a breakdown of the exchange and how it unfolded.
Ricky Ponting Questions Kohli’s Form
The issue started when Ricky Ponting, the former Australian captain and cricket legend, questioned the form of India’s celebrated batter Virat Kohli. Citing statistics, Ricky Ponting pointed out that Kohli had only scored two Test centuries over the last five years, a surprising stat given Kohli’s reputation as a run machine. Ponting remarked, “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.” He noted that if the stats were accurate, Kohli’s lack of hundreds would be concerning.
Ponting’s comment, however, was not meant as a harsh criticism. He later clarified that he had not intended to demean Kohli’s abilities but rather observed that it was unusual for a top-order player of Kohli’s caliber to struggle with converting starts into centuries. “In no way was it a dig at him,” Ponting explained. “I actually followed it up by saying he’s played well in Australia and he’ll be keen to bounce back over here.”
Gambhir’s Fiery Response
Gautam Gambhir, known for his forthright nature, didn’t hold back in his response to Ponting’s remarks. At a pre-departure press conference, Gambhir defended Kohli and his fellow teammate Rohit Sharma, who had also been struggling recently. He questioned why Ricky Ponting felt the need to comment on Indian players’ form instead of focusing on his own country’s cricket.
Gambhir took a strong stance, saying, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should think about Australian cricket. I don’t have any concerns. They (Kohli and Rohit) are incredibly tough men; they’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and are going to achieve a lot in the future as well.”
Shane Lee Warns Ponting’s Comment Might Backfire
Ponting’s remarks caught the attention of Australian former cricketer Shane Lee, who warned that the comments could backfire. He noted Kohli’s tendency to perform exceptionally well after being challenged or provoked, saying that questioning Kohli’s form could motivate him to deliver stellar performances against Australia.
“That is a bad move, Ricky,” Lee remarked. “What are you doing? You are going to fire that guy up. He is a world-class player, and he will fire up out here.” Given Kohli’s history of delivering in high-pressure situations, especially in Australia, many feel that Ponting’s comments could add fuel to Kohli’s fire and give him an extra edge going into the series.
Ricky Ponting’s Reaction to Gambhir’s Response
Ponting was not particularly surprised by Gambhir’s blunt reaction. Known as a “prickly character” in cricketing circles, Gambhir has a reputation for standing up for his players and being vocal about his opinions. Ponting commented, “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.”
However, Ponting reiterated that his comments were not meant to demean Kohli. Instead, he noted that Kohli is one of the world’s best players and has always shown his class in Australia. He even mentioned that he believes Kohli will be eager to bounce back with strong performances, emphasizing that he has complete respect for the Indian batter.
Kohli’s Form Sparks Tension Between Gambhir and Ricky Ponting
For Virat Kohli, this off-field exchange could serve as added motivation. Despite not being in his best form recently, Kohli has consistently proved that he thrives under pressure and in challenging conditions, especially in Australia. Kohli’s previous tours of Australia have been marked by several iconic innings, and fans worldwide will be eager to see if he uses this added pressure to fuel another unforgettable series.
The exchange between Ponting and Gambhir underscores the high stakes of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Both teams have everything to play for, and with passionate voices on either side, the series promises not only intense on-field action but also heated off-field narratives. As Kohli gears up to face Australia, this added layer of rivalry could make for an even more compelling storyline in one of cricket’s greatest rivalries.
