‘He is quite a prickly character’ - Ricky Ponting hits back at Gautam Gambhir after recent comments

Former India and Australia cricketers Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting respectively have recently caught every headline after the former recently came forward and called out Ponting for questioning the form of ace India batter Virat Kohli ahead of the BGT 2024-25. 

After Ponting opined no other player would stay in the Indian Test team with the form that Kohli has had, Gambhir was quick to shut him out as he asked Ponting what he had to do with Indian cricket and that he should focus more on Australian cricket. 

Seeing Gambhir’s response, Ponting took centre stage and branded him as a ‘prickly’ character. He revealed that he was quite surprised to see Gambhir’s reaction to his recent comments. 

“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,” Ponting told 7News.

Furthermore, Ponting also talked about how his comments against Kohli were in no way a dig towards him.

"In no way was it a dig at him (Kohli). I actually followed it up by saying he’s played well in Australia and he’ll be keen to bounce back over here...If you ask Virat, I'm sure he 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,” Ponting said. 

"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,” he added.

It is worth noting that India kick off the tour against Australia by taking on the side in Perth from November 22. India will come into the series after being whitewashed against New Zealand in their own backyard.