“If your coach is the first one to crack in a press conference after being asked a simple question, it could be a really long summer for Gautam Gambhir if India doesn’t get off to a good start on Perth.”

Paine’s comments stemmed from a recent media interaction where Gambhir took issue with Ricky Ponting’s remarks on Virat Kohli’s struggling form, saying that the Australian legend need not be concerned about Indian cricket.

Ponting, in turn, described Gambhir as “quite a prickly character”.

‘Gambhir, India’s biggest concern’

Paine felt Gambhir’s barb was a sign that he may not be able to stay calm under pressure which would be India’s “biggest concern” – even more than the struggling form of Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli.

“I don’t love it. It’s not a good sign I think, because all he was asked was a very simple question. I think he’s maybe looking at Ricky still as someone he’s playing against,” Paine said.

“But Ricky is a commentator now – he’s paid to give an opinion, and his opinion was spot on. Virat has been sliding, it is a concern, absolutely. But for me now, the biggest concern for India right now isn’t Rohit Sharma’s batting, isn’t Virat Kohli’s batting, it’s their coach and his ability to stay calm under pressure,” he added.