NEW DELHI: Former Australian cricketers Adam Gilchrist and Matthew Hayden have defended teammate Ricky Ponting following India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s befitting reply to Ponting’s comments on Virat Kohli and skipper Rohit Sharma’s form ahead of high-profile Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The duo’s straightforward stance highlighted their belief in honest critique and the role of commentary in cricket, countering Gambhir’s assertion that Ponting should focus solely on Australian cricket.
Gilchrist stated that Ponting, as a cricket legend and commentator, has every right to share his opinions on global cricket, emphasizing the importance of open discussions.
“Punter can comment on anything he wants. I think he has earned the right to comment on most aspects of cricket. I love this, this is going to get the popcorn out for the rest of the summer,” said legendary wicketkeeper Adam Gilchrist on the Club Prairie Fire podcast.
Hayden, known for his bluntness, dismissed the notion that commentary should be limited to national boundaries.
“We are paid to make an opinion, make a comment and make a call about the game we know and love,” said Hayden on the podcast.
In 2024, Kohli has struggled with his form, scoring just 488 runs in 25 innings across formats in 19 international matches, averaging 20.33. His performances in home Tests were particularly concerning, managing only one half-century in five matches against Bangladesh and New Zealand, with an average of 21.33 across those series.
How long will Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja play?
During the three-Test series against New Zealand, which India lost 0-3, Kohli scored 93 runs in six innings, slightly outpacing Rohit Sharma, who scored 91. Both senior batters faced criticism for their inability to deliver under pressure in critical games.
India’s upcoming five-Test series against Australia, beginning on November 22 at the Optus Stadium in Perth, is pivotal. With India currently ranked second in the World Test Championship (WTC) points table, strong performances in this series are crucial to maintaining their qualification hopes for the WTC final.
