Former England captain Michael Vaughan has taken a jibe at India head coach Gautam Gambhir for his sharp response to Ricky Ponting’s comments on Virat Kohli. Ponting, the former Australia captain, had pointed out Kohli’s recent struggles in Test cricket, prompting Gambhir to urge Ponting to focus on Australian players instead of commenting on Indian cricketers.
Vaughan weighed in on the matter during the Club Prairie Fire podcast, calling Gambhir an “interesting” and “spicy” character, while questioning his stance on the issue.
Michael Vaughan defends Ricky Ponting
Vaughan expressed his disagreement with Gambhir’s remarks, emphasizing that former players, regardless of nationality, have the right to analyze teams and players from other nations.
“I don’t like what Gambhir said about Ponting. There is no rule that says a former player cannot discuss or critique another team. Players like Matthew Hayden, who have spent considerable time in India, have every right to speak about Indian players or their performances,” Vaughan remarked.
He humorously added: “By Gambhir’s logic, I should stop commenting on Australia and return to England, but that’s not how cricket works. The beauty of the game lies in the global perspectives and analyses from former players.”
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Despite criticizing Gambhir’s reaction, Vaughan lauded his fiery personality, calling it a valuable asset in his role as India’s head coach.
“I like Gautam Gambhir as a head coach because he is spicy. He knows how to play mind games in the media, and that’s an important skill in international cricket. His attitude brings an edge to the Indian camp, and it’s intriguing to watch how he approaches such situations,” Vaughan added.
Vaughan’s warning to Gambhir ahead of Border-Gavaskar Trophy
Turning his attention to the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy, Vaughan cautioned Gambhir about the challenges India could face in the high-profile Test series against Australia.
“Things won’t be easy for Gambhir in the Test series against Australia. The Aussies are in good form, and if India loses a game, it will be fascinating to see how Gambhir reacts under pressure. His fiery nature could come into play, but it will be a real test of his leadership and coaching approach,” Vaughan warned.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a fiercely contested series, and the buildup to the 2024-25 edition is no exception. With Kohli’s form under scrutiny and Gambhir’s fiery personality in the spotlight, the stage is set for an exciting battle, both on and off the field.
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