Ricky Ponting’s commentary of India’s batting woes has been taken to task by the touring team’s coach Gautam Gambhir, who said the former skipper “should be talking about Australia.”

Ahead of India’s arrival in Perth on Tuesday where the first of five Tests begins next week, Gambhir told reporters he was unfazed by Ponting questioning the form of skipper Rohit Sharma and superstar batter Virat Kohli.

“What does Ricky Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? He should be talking about Australia,” Gambhir said.

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“Look, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are still passionate about the game and want to achieve more. They are hungry for success and have done exceptionally well for the country over the years.”

India is still reeling from its comprehensive series loss to New Zealand, which was the first time they had ever lost three Tests to a touring nation. The loss ended India’s record run of 18 consecutive home Test series victories dating to 2012.

New Zealand had toured India since 1955 and managed to win only two Tests previously in 1969 and 1988.

The unexpected hammering shone a bright light on Kohli who made only 93 runs in the series, while Sharma managed only 91 runs.

“I saw a stat the other day about Virat – it said he’s only scored two Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is accurate, then that’s, I mean, that’s a concern,” Ponting said.

“There probably wouldn’t be anyone else still playing international cricket as a top-order batsman who’s only scored two Test match hundreds in five years.”

Kohli has form against the Aussies, with his two most recent Test centuries coming against Australia.

In his last 60 innings, Kohli has only reached a half century 11 times, while scoring two centuries. This year he is averaging just 22.72 in six Tests.

Rohit, averaging 42.27 in 64 Tests, has only 133 runs in his past 10 innings, reaching double figures four times.

“They are incredibly tough men and have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and will continue to do so,” Gambhir said.

“My role is to ensure that their hunger is still there, and they continue to work really hard.”

Rohit will lead an 18-man squad as India looks to confirm qualification for the 2025 World Test Championship final.

It needs to win four of its remaining six tests this WTC cycle and will be aiming for a third straight series win in Australia following 2-1 victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21.

Three uncapped players have been named to the tourists’ squad, which is missing pacer Mohammed Shami, with opening batter Abhimanyu Easwaran included, along with all-rounder Nitish Reddy and pacer Harshit Rana.

Shami is the biggest absentee as he is yet to recover from an Achilles’ injury sustained after the 2023 Cricket World Cup. He was expected to return for the home series against New Zealand, but suffered a setback with a knee issue.

Although Shami has declared himself fit, and has been posting videos of himself bowling in the nets on social media, the national selectors ignored him from the initial squad.

Adelaide will host the second Test, a day-night encounter, and there is sufficient time until the third as India will also play a two-day day-night practice game ahead of the Adelaide Test.

For the first time since 1991-92, Australia will host India in a five-Test series and it will become the norm for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the future.