‘He should look at Australian cricket’: Gautam Gambhir hits out at Australian legend, backs Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli ahead of AUS vs IND Test series

Gautam Gambhir stood strong behind India veterans Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli despite their failures in the recent home series against New Zealand.

The India head coach was asked about concerns around the form of Rohit and Kohli after their poor showing against New Zealand in the press conference ahead of the Australia-India Test series and he responded with fire.

Earlier, Ricky Ponting, in the ICC Review, had commented about Kohli’s recent Test stats, stating that it was a “concern”.

“I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he’s only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that’s a concern,” Ponting said.

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What happened in the Gautam Gambhir press conference

In the press conference, Gambhir addressed key questions around India’s squad for the upcoming Test series against Australia.

Here are the talking points in brief:

• No confirmation as of now about Rohit Sharma’s availability.
• KL Rahul will be the backup opener on the tour and his experience will be considered in Rohit Sharma’s absence.
• Nitish Reddy is immensely talented and is ready to do the Shardul Thakur role if needed.
• KL Rahul is a versatile and experienced player, can open, bat at No.3 or No.6 and even keep wickets if needed. India will continue to back him.
• Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s form is of no concern.
• Jasprit Bumrah will lead the side when Rohit Sharma is away for personal reasons.
• Admits to being completely outplayed by New Zealand in home series.

Gambhir hits out at Ponting

Gambhir was on fire when asked about the form of Kohli and Rohit with the journalist citing Ponting’s “concern” around the senior Indian batters.

“What has Ponting got to do with Australian cricket? He should look at Australian cricket,” Gambhir lashed out.

Gambhir also admitted that the series would be a tough one and agreed that the criticism after the New Zealand whitewash was fair, stating that his team was completely outplayed.

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“The learning is to accept that we were outplayed. I’m not here to defend myself. We were outplayed in all three departments. We accept the criticism with both hands.”

That said, he wasn’t too concerned about the pitches in Australia, stating that they were free to dish out whatever surface they wanted.

“We don’t control the wickets they give. We have all the basis covered. Whatever they give, bouncy tracks, turning tracks and green wickets. We still have to go out there and play to our potential. If we do so we can defeat anyone on any wicket.”

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