Former Australia skipper Tim Paine said India coach Gautam Gambhir overreacted to Ricky Ponting’s comments on the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, even going on to say that Gambhir’s inability to stay calm under pressure should be a worry.
India will take on Australia in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with the first Test beginning on November 22 in Perth.
Ponting, during commentary, highlighted Virat Kohli’s struggles in Test cricket, noting that the star batter had managed only two centuries in the last five years. Gambhir, in a press conference before departing for Australia, responded bluntly to Ponting’s analysis, asking the media “what does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket – he should be talking about Australia”.
Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine defended Ponting, arguing that the Australian legend was simply doing his job as a commentator.
Tim Paine praises Ravi Shastri
Paine went on to praise former India coach Ravi Shastri, under whom India enjoyed two historic series wins in Australia.
Former Australia captain Tim Paine reacted to the ongoing back-and-forth between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting, saying it does not auger well for India’s prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, set to begin on November 22 in Perth. The entire issue escalated when Gambhir did not appreciate Ponting’s opinion on Virat Kohli’s form in the last five years. Addressing a press conference before leaving for Australia, Gambhir remarked, “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket – he should be talking about Australia.”
“I don’t love it,” Paine told SEN Tassie. “It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question.
“I think he’s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he’s playing against, but Ricky is a commentator now – he’s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely. But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he added.
Paine also recollected how former India coach Ravi Shastri offered the side great energy through his passion and energy, further saying that Gambhir is not a ‘great fit’ for Team India.
India’s last two series wins in Australia have come under the direction of Ravi Shastri. “Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic,” Paine said.
“He created a great environment, the players were energised, they played with passion, he sold them the dream and motivated them in a really light-hearted enjoyable way. They have gone to a new coach now who is really prickly, really competitive – and that is not to say that’s not a good thing and a good way to coach – but my concern is that it’s not a great fit for the Indian cricket team,” Paine said.
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