Ricky Ponting lifts the lid on 'prickly' history with India coach amid Virat Kohli controversy

Ricky Ponting says he's not surprised by Gautam Gambhir's angry reaction to the Aussie cricket legend's criticism of Virat Kohli after revealing he's "had a bit of history" with the India coach. Ponting weighed in on the worrying form of Kohli ahead of the five-Test Border-Gavaskar series against Australia that gets underway in Perth on November 22.

The superstar India batter has only scored two Test centuries in the last five years, which is a staggering statistic for one of the greatest batters of this generation. Kohli once again struggled for India in the recent three-Test series against New Zealand, averaging just 15 with the bat as the Kiwis romped to a historic series clean sweep on Indian soil.

Rohit Sharma has also been struggling with the bat and has been facing calls to be replaced as skipper. Rohit is set to miss the first Test against the Aussies in Perth due to the birth of his second child and was not part of the Indian travelling party as a result. Fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah is set to captain India in the absence of the regular skipper.

Kohli was on the plane for India, however, and Ponting said he would be under pressure to perform in the Test series against Australia after being on a steady decline with the bat in recent years. "There wouldn't be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that's only scored two Test match hundreds in five years," Ponting said on an ICC podcast when asked about Kohli's form.

Ponting's comments drew a fiery response from India coach Gambhir, setting the stage for a spicy Test series in Australia. "What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket? I think he should think about Australian cricket," Gambhir said. "More importantly, I have got no concerns whatsoever for Virat and Rohit. They are incredibly tough men. They've achieved a lot for Indian cricket, and they will continue to achieve a lot in the future as well."

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Ricky Ponting responds to swipe from Gautam Gambhir

Speaking to Channel Seven ahead of the network's coverage of the Border-Gavaskar series, Ponting says he was not surprised when he heard Gambhir had taken exception to his comments after describing the India coach as a "prickly character". But Ponting insists he was just giving his honest opinion on Kohli after being asked for his analysis.

“I said I would be concerned (about his form),” Ponting told 7NEWS. “But I think if you ask Virat, I’m sure Virat would be a little bit concerned that he hasn’t been able to make the same amount of hundreds as he has in previous years.

“In no way was it a dig at him. I actually followed it up by saying he’s played well in Australia and he’ll be keen to bounce back over here. So, it’s amazing how little things can get cut up, but he’s a class player and he’s played well in Australia in the past...

“I was surprised to read the reaction but knowing the coach, Gautam Gambhir ... he’s quite a prickly character, so I’m not surprised it was him who said something back." Ponting - who played against Gambhir and also coached him at the Delhi Daredevils - says he'd be willing to shake the India coach's hand during the Test series but says he doesn't expect it to happen.

with AAP