“He should be talking about Australia. 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.

“Even the other players are doing a fine job, and I am sure we will improve as a group. I have no concerns regarding Virat and Rohit,” Gambhir said.

What Ponting had said?

In his latest ICC review, Ponting expressed concerns about Kohli’s form.

Virat Kohli slipped out of the top 20 in ICC Test rankings for the first time since December 2014. (BCCI)

“I saw a stat the other day about Virat—it said he’s only scored two (three) 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 in his latest episode of the ICC Review.

“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.”

In the recently concluded three-match Test series against New Zealand at home, Virat Kohli managed only 93 runs in six innings, while Rohit Sharma scored 91 runs in six outings.

India captain Rohit Sharma reacts after being dismissed in the second innings of the third India vs New Zealand Test at the Wankhede Stadium.
(Express Photo by Amit Chakravarty)

However, Gambhir has made it clear that he is not at all worried about the form of his senior players ahead of the five-match series.

“I have no concerns whatsoever for Rohit and Virat,” he said.

“I think they are incredibly tough men and have achieved a lot for Indian cricket and will continue to do so.

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