Sourav Ganguly backs Gautam Gambhir's criticism of Ricky Ponting: 'No harm in speaking his mind'

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly has come to the defense of Gautam Gambhir after the latter faced criticism for his straightforward responses at press conferences. Following India's 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, the team is facing immense pressure ahead of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Gambhir, who has recently started his coaching tenure, has also come under scrutiny for his performance. Ganguly's support is sure to boost Gambhir's confidence as he navigates the challenges of coaching at the international level.

During a press conference before India left for Australia, Gambhir was asked to give his views on Australia legend Ricky Ponting's take on Virat Kohli's underwhelming form. The Indian head coach backed his player and told Ponting to focus on the Australian team; the comment didn't go down well with few from the cricket fraternity. Ponting even replied to the comment and called Gambhir a prickly character.

Ganguly, who has played alongside Gambhir in the past, came in support of his former teammate. He said everyone was going gaga over him when he did the same straight talk in IPL, where he mentored KKR to the title win this year.

“All I will say is let him be. I saw some criticism on what he said in the press conference. It is the way he is. Let him be. When he won the IPL, he was the same, you were going gaga over him. Just because he has lost three test matches and a one-day series against Sri Lanka, the straight talk has not been looked at nicely. But that is the way he is,” Ganguly told Revzsports.

Australia has not won a Border-Gavaskar Trophy in the past decade, but they will still be favourites to win the series after India suffered an embarrassing defeat against New Zealand at home.

Ganguly, who has led the Indian team against Australia in the past, asserted that their former players have always been tough on the Indians and said Gambhir is doing nothing wrong.

“And why not? Australians, from the time I have watched cricket, they have been tough for you. They have played their cricket that way, whether it was Waugh, Ponting or Hayden. So, there is nothing wrong with what Gambhir has said. That is the way he is and he fights, he competes so let us give him a chance. It has just been two-three months and you are passing a judgement on him,” he added.