Gambhir is not interested in the final conditions of India's WTC; back Rohit and Kohli | Cricket news

India cricket coach Gautam Gambhir has backed “incredibly tough men” Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli to prove their critics wrong and find form in Australia following a humiliating Test series defeat at home to New Zealand.

Skipper Rohit scored 91 runs in three matches and batsman Kohli made just 93 in a shock 3-0 series defeat – India's first at home to New Zealand.

Speaking ahead of India's trip to Australia for a blockbuster five-match series, Gambhir said on Monday he had “no worries about Virat and Rohit”.

“They are incredibly strong men,” he said.

“They have achieved a lot in Indian cricket and will continue to achieve more in the future.”

Rohit is likely to miss the opening Test in Perth from November 22 to attend the birth of his second child.

Gambhir hit Ricky Ponting after the former Australian captain questioned the long-term form of the two senior batsmen.

“What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket?” Gambhir said.

Gambhir said the Indian team as a whole was eager to prove itself after the loss to New Zealand, their second Test series whitewash at home.

“I feel like there is a lot of hunger, especially after what happened in the last series,” he said.

Gambhir believes that the biggest challenge for Australia will be the faster pitches compared to India, where conditions tend to rotate.

But the former India opener said his under-the-cosh team is ready to “fire one ball” in the series starting in Perth on November 22.

“We have been in Australia many times, so that experience will be important,” said the coach who has also faced adversity.

“If we play the way we can, we play the best cricket, we can beat anyone on any wicket.”

Gambhir, who replaced India's T20 World Cup-winning coach Rahul Dravid in July, dismissed concerns over India's ability to qualify for the World Test Championship final.

Instead, the coach believes the team will focus on winning the series in Australia and the players will not be distracted by the race to reach the finals on June 11-15 at Lord's Cricket Ground in London, United Kingdom.

India were in with a good chance of making the final until a whitewash allowed Australia to advance.

Gambhir and Rohit must now guide their side to a 4-0 win in Australia to secure a place in the finals, or their path could be eased depending on the results of the rest of the series.

“We are not looking at what will happen in the World Test Championship, whether we will enter [for the final],” said Gambhir.

“Every series is important, it's as simple as that, when you play for your country…

“For us, they are two good teams playing against each other and we are very determined to go out and play and try to win the series.”

India were successful in their last tour of Australia but their batting looks a little less this time as they look to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

The absence of injured Mohammed Shami will also increase the workload of pacer Jasprit Bumrah, who will captain India if Rohit misses the match.

Rohit's absence will also mean Yashasvi Jaiswal will need a new opening partner and Gambhir is happy with his support options even if Abhimanyu Easwaran and KL Rahul struggle in the two unofficial Tests against Australia A.

Gambhir pointed out that Rahul's 53-Test experience and his ability to bat in almost any order could tilt the decision in his favor ahead of the absent Easwaran.

“There are times when you go with experienced players,” Gambhir said of Rahul.

“That's the quality of the man, that he can bat at the top of the order, he can bat at number three and he can also bat at number six,” he added.