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'He's Frightened...,' Ponting Takes A Jibe At Gambhir, Pokes The Bear With Distasteful Remark

Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting have been involved in heated exchange (Source:  @sujeetsuman1991, @CricCrazyJohn/X.com)Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting have been involved in heated exchange (Source:  @sujeetsuman1991, @CricCrazyJohn/X.com)

The days leading up to the highly anticipated Border Gavaskar Trophy have been marred by a glimpse of the intense rivalry between India and Australia as Gautam Gambhir and Ricky Ponting have indulged in a fiery feud. The two stalwarts have already had a heated exchange before crossing paths with one another.

Ponting-Gambhir Engage In Off-Field Fued

Previously, Aussie legend Ricky Ponting had made a remark regarding Virat Kohli form suggesting that it's a sign of worry. However, Indian head coach, Gautam Gambhir, in a press conference before India's departure for Perth on Monday, was never mentioned the second part of his comment by the reporter as a result of which Gambhir took a cheeky dig at the former player questioning' What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?' and more.

Mere hours after clarifying his remarks on Kohli's form, Ponting who appeared on 'The Run Home with Joel & Fletch,' a podcast, said he was uncertain about whether he should speak out on some of the other Indian batter. He felt targeted but added that if any Indian player performs well in Australia, India could have the opportunity to criticise him in return.

“I'm not sure if I mentioned a couple of them, but I reckon he's just throwing me in the deep end, trying to find their two most experienced and make sure when they come out, they put that back on me. The hair on the back of his neck is already standing up," he said.

He once again clarified that Virat Kohli, who has slammed just three centuries in the last five years and has faced a dip in his home average to nearly 30, can view the upcoming Australia tour as the ideal stage to silence his critics, buoyed by his strong record in the country said Ponting.

“I was asked the other night if I was concerned about Virat Kohli's form. A day before, I had read his stats from the last five years, so it was clear in my mind. I think he made only two (three) centuries in the last five years. His average in India is now down to 30 from 90, during this period. So yes, I would be concerned. And I said if you ask him about his form, he would be concerned because it is nowhere near what it used to be.

But then I said since he loves playing in Australia and has a great record here, so if there ever was a tour where he could turn things around, it would be this. But they never talked about the second part. Then Gambhir went and faced the press having just lost against New Zealand. The hair on the back of his neck is already standing up. We got a bit of history as well, but he took a chance to fire back at me,” he said.

Meanwhile, India has arrived in Australia and is currently practicing hard in the nets at the WACA stadium ahead of the first Test at Perth starting November 22 onwards.