Brett Lee fears that Ricky Ponting’s comments would charge up Virat Kohli.
Source: NDTV
When it comes to motivating Virat Kohli, few things work better than a bit of controversy. History shows that the Indian batting icon often raises his game after being provoked. Recently, Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting questioned Kohli’s place in India’s Test team, labeling his form a “concern.” Former teammate Brett Lee has since called Ponting’s remarks a “bad move,” fearing it might inspire Kohli to retaliate with a standout performance. Gautam Gambhir, India’s head coach, also took issue with Ponting’s comments, advising him to focus on Australia’s challenges instead.
Kohli’s record in Australia includes some of his most memorable innings, and Lee suspects Ponting’s words will only fuel him to perform yet again. “That is a bad move, Ricky. What are you doing? You’re going to fire that guy up. He’s world-class and he’ll show it here,” Lee commented on Fox Cricket’s The Follow On podcast.
What Did Ricky Ponting Say About Virat Kohli?
Ricky Ponting expressed concern over Kohli’s Test form, noting that the Indian star has managed only two Test centuries in the past five years. “I saw a stat saying he’s only made two Test hundreds in the last five years. That’s concerning,” Ponting commented. “I don’t think any top-order batsman in international cricket would have kept his spot with that record.”
The criticism didn’t sit well with Gambhir, known for his spirited defense of Indian cricket. The India head coach retorted swiftly, dismissing Ponting’s analysis. “I wasn’t surprised that Gambhir had a reaction,” Ponting later told 7News. “He’s a fiery character himself.”
Ponting, however, clarified that his remarks weren’t intended as an attack on Kohli. “I wasn’t taking a shot at him at all,” Ponting emphasized. “I actually said he has a good track record in Australia and will be looking to bounce back.”
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