Mumbai, India

India head coach Gautam Gambhir has denied being put under pressure by criticism following the 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand at home earlier this month. Gambhir said that he doesn't think he's feeling the heat and that they deserve the criticism they are getting.

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"Criticism we are facing, we are taking it with both hands. We need to move forward, Australia is new series. We were completely outplayed. I'm not going to defend us. We deserve the criticism we are getting now. What difference does social media make in my life, and for anyone's life? When I took up this job, I always knew that it was going to be a highly difficult job and a highly prestigious job as well. I don't think as if I'm feeling the heat because my job is to be absolutely honest," said the head coach during the press conference ahead of departing for Australia on Monday (Nov 10) in Mumbai.

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Talking about what's the way going forward, Gambhir said, "There are some incredibly tough people in that dressing room who have achieved some great things for the country and will continue to achieve some great things for the country. So it's an absolute honour to be coaching them and coaching India."

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The head coach also hit out at former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting for his comments on ace India batter Virat Kohli. Ponting had pointed out that Kohli has only two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years and that nobody else would have been playing for India if he weren't Virat.

"What does Ponting have to do with Indian cricket. For me, hunger in the dressing room is most important," Gambhir said.

India's tour of Australia begins on November 22 in Perth before the day-night second Test in Adelaide from December 6-10. The third Test will be played at the Gabba in Brisbane from December 14-18 before the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) from December 26-30. The last and final Test will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) from January 3-7.