India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, hit out at former Australia captain Ricky Ponting, who not too long ago questioned the type of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.
“What does Ricky Ponting must do with Indian cricket?” Gambhir mentioned on Monday, forward of the group’s departure to Australia.
“He must be speaking about Australia. Look, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are nonetheless passionate in regards to the recreation and wish to obtain extra. They’re hungry for achievement and have executed exceptionally nicely for the nation over time,” the pinnacle coach mentioned, including: “Even the opposite gamers are doing a fantastic job, and I’m certain we are going to enhance as a bunch. I’ve no considerations relating to Virat and Rohit…”
Within the not too long ago concluded three-match Check sequence in opposition to New Zealand at residence, through which India misplaced 0-3, Kohli managed solely 93 runs in six innings, whereas Rohit scored 91 runs, prompting Ponting to query their kind. “I noticed a stat the opposite day about Virat—it mentioned he’s solely scored two (three) Check tons of within the final 5 years. That didn’t appear proper to me, but when that’s correct, then that’s, I imply, that’s a priority,” Ponting mentioned in his newest episode of the ICC Evaluation.
“There most likely wouldn’t be anybody else nonetheless enjoying worldwide cricket as a top-order batsman who’s solely scored two Check match tons of in 5 years.”
Nevertheless, Gambhir backed the seasoned campaigners. “They’re extremely robust males and have achieved loads for Indian cricket and can proceed to take action,” Gambhir mentioned, including: “My position is to make sure that their starvation continues to be there and so they proceed to work actually onerous…”