Former Australia captain and TV pundit Ricky Ponting. — Reuters

Legendary Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting referred to Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir as a "prickly character" after Gambhir responded to Ponting's concerns about star batter Virat Kohli's form. As the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) at Perth's Optus Stadium approaches, the verbal exchanges between cricketing figures from both nations have escalated.

During a recent episode of the ICC Review, Ponting expressed worries about Kohli's Test form over the past few years, noting that Kohli had scored only two Test centuries since 2020. "I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he has only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That did not seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that is a concern," Ponting said. "There would not be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that has only scored two Test match hundreds in five years," he added.

In the same episode, Ponting also supported Kohli, stating that the star has a strong record in Australia and that "one should not question the greats of the game". Gambhir, in response, criticized Ponting during a pre-departure press conference, suggesting that Ponting should focus on his own team's concerns rather than India's.

"Not at all (if concerned about Rohit and Kohli's form)...Ponting should think about Australian cricket, what concerns he has for Indian cricket? Virat and Rohit are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot," Gambhir said. "They still work really hard. They are still passionate. They still want to achieve a lot more and that is something which is very important. The hunger in that dressing room is incredibly important for me and for the entire group of people as well in that dressing room. I feel there is a lot of hunger, especially after what has happened in the last series (an embarrassing 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home)," he added.

Ponting, responding to Gambhir's comments, reiterated that his concerns about Kohli's Test form were genuine. "I said I would be concerned, but I think if you ask Virat, I am sure Virat would be a little bit concerned that he has not been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years," Ponting said. "In no way was it a dig at him. I actually followed it up by saying he has played well in Australia and he will be keen to bounce back over here. So, it is amazing how little things can get cut up, but he is a class player and he has played well in Australia in the past."

"I was surprised to read the reaction but knowing the coach, Gautam Gambhir ... he is quite a prickly character, so I am not surprised it was him who said something back," Ponting concluded.

This year, in 19 matches across international formats, Kohli has scored 488 runs at an average of 20.33, with just two half-centuries in 25 innings and a best score of 76. His Test form this season has been particularly disappointing, managing only 192 runs in five matches against Bangladesh, New Zealand across 10 innings, averaging just 21.33 and hitting just one fifty. However, Australia could provide the perfect stage for Kohli's redemption, given his impressive Test record in the country.

Kohli has scored 1,352 runs in 13 Tests in Australia at an average of 54.08, with six centuries and four fifties in 25 innings. His best score is 169. Across all formats in Australia, Kohli has accumulated 3,426 runs at an average of 56.16, with 11 centuries and 19 fifties in 70 innings.

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