Responding to a query about Ponting's comments, Gambhir asked, "What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?" He added that for him, the hunger in the dressing room is most important. He called Kohli and Sharma incredibly tough men, stressing on their resilience amid criticism.

If Indian captain Rohit Sharma misses the Perth Test, either KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Easwaran will replace him as opener.

Gambhir said one of KL Rahul or Abhimanyu Easwaran or even Shubman Gill are available to open if Rohit doesn't make it