Former Australia captain Tim Paine has given his verdict on the ongoing verbal slugfest between India head coach Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting. He said it will not help India in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024, which is set to start on November 22 in Perth. Gambhir had slammed Ponting for his statement on Virat Kohli before leaving for Australia.
Ponting had to issue a clarification, saying he also praised Kohli, but that was not revealed. He hit out at Gambhir, calling him a Prickly Character.
Tim Paine mentioned that the entire episode between Ponting and Gambhir suggests that the former India batter will not be able to handle pressure in Australia.
“I don’t like it. It was not a good sign as he was asked a simple question. I think he still thinks that Ricky is playing against him. Ricky is a commentator now, and he is paid to give his opinion on cricketers, and he was spot on. Virat is not in form, but for me, India’s biggest worry is not Rohit and Virat but Gambhir’s ability to stay calm under pressure,’ he told SEN Tassie.
Tim Paine also spoke about Ravi Shastri, saying he was full of energy and passion as a coach.
“Ravi Shastri was fantastic as a coach in India’s two series win in Australia. He created a great environment and players were passionate and wanted to achieve something for the country. But Gambhir is not a great fit for the Indian cricket team as you can’t behave like that when you are coaching a team,” he added.
“If your coach is the first one to crack in the press conference on a simple question, it could be a long summer for Gambhir if India don’t win in Perth,” he concluded.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy matches will be played in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney.
