Former Australia captain Tim Paine has taken a shot at Gautam Gambhir ahead of the start of Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024, going to the extent of calling him ‘India’s biggest problem’. Paine also lauded former India head coach Ravi Shastri for leading them to two back to back series victories in Australia.
Paine was responding to a question about how Gambhir tackled questions on Ricky Ponting during a recent press conference. Ponting had raised questions about the form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, going in to the Border Gavaskar Trophy which prompted a sharp response from the India head coach.
“What does Ponting to has to do with Indian cricket? I think he should think about Australian cricket and more importantly have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. I think they are incredibly tough men. They’ve achieved a lot for Indian cricket and they will continue to achieve a lot in future as well.” Gambhir had told the media before departing for Australia.
Tim Paine on India’s biggest problem:
Responding to Gambhir’s comments, Paine told SEN Tassie “I don’t love it. 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,” the former Aussie skipper added
Paine also lauded Ravi Shastri for creating a great environment inside the team where players felt energised and played with passion. He said, “Their last two series wins out here they had Ravi Shastri who was fantastic,”
“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,” Paine added
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