Ponting, a former Australian captain and now a Channel 7 commentator, had earlier commented on Virat Kohli’s form in Test cricket. He added that no one else barring Kohli would have survived in the team with only two hundreds in the last five years. He also made an observation on Rohit Sharma’s form.

While Kohli averages 22.72 this year, he had an excellent 2023: no other Indian had more than his 671 runs, two hundreds, or, with a 300-run cut-off, batting average of 54.73. Rohit, too, made 545 runs in 2023 at 41.92, though his average has dropped to 29.40 in 2024.

Gambhir, former captain and currently head coach of the Indian senior men’s team, spoke about Ponting’s remarks at a press conference before the team left for Australia. “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?” he asked back. “He should think about Australian cricket.

“I don't have any concerns. They [Kohli and Rohit] are incredibly tough men; they've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and are going to achieve a lot in future as well. For me the most important thing is that they still work very hard; they are still passionate; want to achieve a lot more, and that is something which is important.”

Ponting has now responded to Gambhir’s statement while speaking to Channel 7: “I said I would be concerned, but I think if you ask Virat, I’m sure Virat would be a little bit concerned that he hasn’t been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years.

“In no way was it a dig at him. I actually followed it up by saying he’s played well in Australia and he’ll be keen to bounce back over here. So, it’s amazing how little things can get cut up, but he’s a class player and he’s played well in Australia in the past.”

Ponting also filled in with his past interactions with Gambhir: “I was surprised to read the reaction but knowing the coach, Gautam Gambhir ... he’s quite a prickly character, so I’m not surprised it was him who said something back.”

Australia and India are “two of the best teams in the world, no doubt about it,” feels Ponting. “The Australians have been very dominant for a long time, especially at home (but) India have had the better of Australia the last two times they’ve actually come here, and India are coming back after a series whitewash loss to New Zealand.”

He spoke at lengths about the composition and the future of the Australian side: “There are a lot of players in the side over 30. Some of those players are playing their absolute best cricket right now ... The time is going to come when they have to bring someone new and fresh into the side.

“Obviously when Cameron Green there is a you have a newer, younger fresher feel about (the team) ... Australia will have a new opening batsman (Nathan McSweeney) at the top of the order ... and McSweeney looks like he’s got the game that’s well equipped to handle Test level.”

He also spoke about the tourists: ““Mohammed Shami (out with an ankle injury) I think is a massive out for India. Rishabh Pant is a massive in for India coming back into the side in the last 6-8 months.”

The series gets underway at Perth on November 22: “(Great place for the series to start in Perth on a fast bouncy wicket that the Indians won’t particularly like, so it’s ideally set up for the Australians to play well ... I can’t wait for it to get underway.”

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