“Not a good sign”: Paine’s concerns for India after Gambhir and Ponting back-and-forth

Tim Paine doesn’t think Gautam Gambhir’s back-and-forth with Ricky Ponting bodes well for India’s prospects in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

The India coach took issue with Ponting’s opinion that he was concerned about Virat Kohli’s form given he has scored two Test match hundreds in the last five years, saying in a press conference: “What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket – he should be talking about Australia.”

That barb back led to Ponting describing Gambhir on SEN 1170’s Joel and Fletch as a ‘prickly customer’, and Paine thinks it’s a sign that the India coach may not be able to stay calm under pressure.

“I don’t love it,” Paine told SEN Tassie.

“It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question.

“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.”

While India has won both of the last two Test series against Australia down under, both came under the direction of former coach Ravi Shastri who led the side from 2017 to 2021.

Paine thinks that Shastri offered his side energy through his passion and light-hearted nature, characteristics he’s not sure Gambhir possesses.

“Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic,” Paine said.

“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 way,

“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.

“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India don’t get off to a good start on Perth.”

The first of five Tests between Australia and India begins in Perth on November 22.