Indian men’s cricket team head coach Gautam Gambhir has publicly defended star batter Virat Kohli following critical remarks from former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. During a pre-departure press conference in Mumbai on November 11, Gambhir addressed Ponting’s comments regarding Kohli’s recent performance, emphasizing the batter’s contributions to Indian cricket.
Gambhir Responds to Ponting’s Criticism over Virat Kohli
Ricky Ponting, Australia‘s leading run-scorer in Tests and ODIs, questioned Kohli’s place in the team after he managed only two centuries in the last five years. He suggested that any other player would have been dropped under similar circumstances. Gambhir was quick to dismiss Ponting’s remarks, stating, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should think about Australian cricket.”
Gambhir continued to express his unwavering support for both Kohli and captain Rohit Sharma. “They are incredibly tough men. They’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and will continue to achieve more,” he asserted. He highlighted the importance of their hard work and passion, stating that the hunger within the dressing room is crucial for the team’s success.
Gautam Gambhir Optimistic About Rohit Sharma’s Participation in First Test Against Australia
“The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me. And for the entire group of people as well in that dressing in dressing rooms. And I feel there is a lot of hunger and especially after what has happened in the last series. We have a lot of experienced players who have played in these conditions. Those inputs will be crucial for the young players.”, he added.
Concerns Over Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Recent Form
Kohli and Rohit have faced scrutiny due to their lackluster performances in 2024. The duo struggled during India’s recent 0-3 series loss against New Zealand, with Rohit scoring just 588 runs at an average of 29.40 and Kohli managing only 250 runs at an average of 22.72. Their poor form has raised concerns ahead of the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series against Australia.
India needs to win the series by a margin of 4-1 or better to secure direct qualification for the World Test Championship Final scheduled for June 2025. Thus, it is imperative for both players to find their form quickly if India hopes to advance.
KL Rahul’s Versatility Praised
In addition to defending Kohli and Rohit, Gambhir praised KL Rahul for his versatility. He noted that Rahul can effectively open the batting or play in the middle order while also keeping wickets. “How many countries have players like KL who can open and bat at six?” Gambhir asked, underscoring Rahul’s unique skill set.
Gambhir expressed confidence in Rahul’s ability to perform well in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, especially if Rohit is unable to play due to personal reasons related to his wife’s impending childbirth.
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