Former Australia captain Tim Paine has expressed his displeasure over India head coach Gautam Gambhir's reaction to Ricky Ponting's recent remarks about Virat Kohli's form ahead of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Paine believes that Gambhir overreacted to Ponting's comments and pointed out that India’s biggest issue might not be the form of Rohit Sharma or Virat Kohli, but rather Gambhir's inability to stay calm under pressure.

The controversy began when Ricky Ponting, during a commentary, highlighted Virat Kohli's struggles in Test cricket, noting that the star batter had managed only two centuries in the last five years. Gambhir, in a press conference before departing for Australia, responded fiercely to Ponting’s analysis, telling the former Australian captain to "focus on Australian cricket."

Speaking on SEN Tassie, Paine defended Ponting, arguing that the Australian legend was simply doing his job as a commentator. 

"I don’t love it. 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" he added 

Paine went on to praise former India coach Ravi Shastri, under whom India enjoyed two historic series wins in Australia.

“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. 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.