Former Australia National Cricket Team player Ricky Ponting reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s comment on him ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. He said that the Indian head coach’s reaction surprised many and claimed that he might hear some worse things as the series goes on.
Ricky Ponting was recently asked about Virat Kohli’s form. The former Australia National Cricket Team skipper said that the batter not scoring runs is a cause of concern for the India National Cricket Team, especially with him slamming very centuries in the last five years.
Gautam Gambhir then, during the press conference, was asked the same question, and he came out to defend Virat Kohli. He said that Ponting has nothing to do with Indian cricket and should focus on his team. He also defended Indian batters, calling him a tough player.
I think the reaction to it, it wasn’t so much what I said – Ricky Ponting
With one day remaining for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Ricky Ponting said that he just answered the question he was asked. He also stressed that with the kind of numbers Virat Kohli has in the last few years, the batter himself would be concerned with it. Speaking to 7Cricket, he explained:
“Yeah, I think I have. You know, that story’s been going around for a week and a half now, maybe two weeks. You know, I was just asked the question if I was concerned with Virat’s output over the last couple of years. And it was, it was funny, the timing of it, because it was only the day before that I was read some stats on what Virat sort of hasn’t been able to do in the last couple of years. He’s made two test match hundreds, I think in his last 60 test match innings.
“So I mean, anybody, Virat himself would be concerned with his output because he’s a better player than that has been for such a long period of time. But, you know, I backed it up by saying that he’s got a great record here. He loves playing against Australia. If there’s a time for Virat to turn it around, it’ll be now. I mean, I think the reaction to it, it wasn’t so much what I said.”
I think the reaction from Gautam Gambhir was what probably surprised everybody – Ricky Ponting
Ricky Ponting further said that Gautam Gambhir’s reaction surprised many and pointed out how the India head coach was questioned for sitting in press conferences. He elaborated:
“I think the reaction from Gambhir was what probably surprised everybody, surprised a lot of people in India as well, to the point where they were questioning if he should be sitting in press conferences, answering some of the questions. So look, I’m looking forward to seeing Virat again. He’s a star. He’s one of the all-time greats. And who knows, it might be his series again.”
He’ll probably hear some worse things as the summer goes on, especially if his team doesn’t win – Ricky Ponting on Gautam Gambhir
Ricky Ponting was also asked if he would shake hands with Gautam Gambhir when the two meet in Perth. The former Australia National Cricket Team captain mentioned that he doesn’t hold a grudge but claimed that India’s head coach will hear worse things. He added:
“Yeah, yeah, I do. Yeah, I don’t hold a grudge or anything like that. It’ll be up to him. If he holds a grudge from what I had to say there, then I’m sure he’s probably heard worse things in the past. He’ll probably hear some worse things as the summer goes on, especially if his team doesn’t win.
So look, I’ve got no issue with him. And well, I think we’re probably guaranteed to bump into each other Friday morning, and we’ll see how frosty or not it might be. Yeah, well, I look forward to that as well.”
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