Gautam Gambhir Responds to Ricky Ponting’s Criticism of Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s Form

India’s head coach, Gautam Gambhir, has supported senior batters Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following recent criticism from former Australia captain Ricky Ponting. Ponting had sparked debate by questioning Kohli’s form, stating that any other player with just two centuries in five years wouldn’t have survived in the team. Gambhir, however, dismissed Ponting’s comments, emphasizing that the former Australian captain had no stake in Indian cricket.

At a press conference before India departed for the five-match Test series against Australia, Gambhir responded to questions about the form of India’s senior players, specifically Kohli and Rohit. He clarified that Ponting’s opinions were irrelevant to Indian cricket.

“What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should focus on Australian cricket. He has no concerns about Virat and Rohit. Both are incredibly tough men who have already achieved so much for Indian cricket and will continue to do so in the future,” Gambhir said. “What’s most important is that both still work extremely hard, remain passionate, and are hungry for success, which is vital for the team,” he added.

Gambhir also emphasized the importance of the hunger within the Indian dressing room, noting that the senior players’ desire to achieve more was crucial for India’s success. He expressed confidence in both Kohli and Rohit, highlighting their dedication and work ethic despite the challenges they’ve faced in recent times.

Despite Gambhir’s strong defense, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma’s poor form has been a major talking point. Both batters have struggled this year, and their recent underperformance, especially during the 0-3 loss to New Zealand, has intensified scrutiny over their place on the team.

So far this year, Rohit Sharma has managed just 588 runs in 11 matches, averaging 29.40. He has scored only two centuries and two fifties in that span. Virat Kohli has been in even worse form, with only 250 runs from six matches (12 innings) at an average of 22.72, with just one half-century to his name.

The timing of their poor form is worrying, especially with the upcoming Test series against Australia, which is critical for India’s hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship (WTC) final. India needs to win the series 4-1 to guarantee a place in the WTC final on their own, making the return to form of both Kohli and Rohit crucial.

India’s qualification for the WTC final depends on their performance in the Australia series, so Kohli and Rohit are under pressure to rediscover their best form. Gambhir has expressed his belief in their ability to bounce back, stating that their hunger and passion for the game will drive them to achieve more. However, the upcoming series in Australia will test whether they can overcome their struggles and deliver for India when it matters most.

Image Credits: The Hindu

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