Former Australia captain Tim Paine is unhappy with India head coach Gautam Gambhir's reaction to Ricky Ponting's opinion on Virat Kohli ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Paine does not feel that skipper Rohit Sharma and Kohli's form is a problem for India but it is their coach's inability to maintain calm under pressure situations.
Before leaving for Australia, Gambhir was asked about Ponting saying that Kohli has not scored enough Test centuries in last five years. In the pre-departure press conference, Gambhir asked Ponting to worry about Australian cricket, not Indian cricket. Retorting to Gambhir's comments, Ponting said he wasn't surprised and called him a "prickly character". A few days later, Paine defended Ponting as he feels that the legendary Australian captain was just doing his job.
"I don’t love it. 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," Paine said on SEN Tassie.
Paine doesn't feel Gambhir is fit to be India's head coach
Paine heaped praise on Ravi Shastri who was head coach the last time India toured Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The wicketkeeper-batter credited Shastri for creating an environment. He also criticised Gambhir and called him "really prickly" and unfit to coach the team.
“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic. 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. They have gone to a new coach now that is really prickly, really competitive - and that 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 added.
The Test series will begin on November 22 at the Optus Stadium, Perth.
