In a spirited pre-tour press conference, India head coach Gautam Gambhir addressed media scrutiny after India’s 0-3 series loss to New Zealand and laid out his expectations for the upcoming Australia series. Questioned about India’s form and their preparedness, Gautam Gambhir responded assertively, particularly when asked about Australian great Ricky Ponting’s comments on Virat Kohli’s recent record. Ricky Ponting had highlighted Virat Kohli’s relative decline in Test centuries over the past five years, a point Gambhir was quick to counter. Recently the Aussie great stated that Virat Kohli has scored only 2 centuries in the last 5 years.
When confronted with Ponting’s remarks about Kohli’s form, Gambhir dismissed the comments, stating that Ponting’s opinions held no relevance to Indian cricket. Expressing his unwavering confidence in Kohli and team captain Rohit Sharma, Gambhir emphasized that both players have proven themselves and remain invaluable to Indian cricket.
“What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?” Gambhir asserted. “I think he should think about Australian cricket and, more importantly, I have no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. They are incredibly tough men, have achieved a lot for Indian cricket, and will continue to achieve a lot in the future.”
Gambhir reiterated his confidence in Kohli and Sharma, citing their dedication to improving their game as evidence of their commitment. While India’s recent results may have raised questions, Gambhir expressed no doubt about the hunger and determination both players display in practice. He highlighted that Kohli and Rohit remain focused on the task at hand and have shown a strong work ethic that bolsters his confidence in the team.
