Ricky Ponting Lauds Virat Kohli’s ODI Brilliance
In a recent discussion on The ICC Review, Australian cricket icon Ricky Ponting has showered praise on Virat Kohli, highlighting his exceptional consistency and longevity in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Ponting, himself a legendary figure in cricket, expressed confidence in Kohli’s potential to surpass Sachin Tendulkar’s all-time ODI run record of 18,426 runs.
A Century Against Pakistan
Virat Kohli recently scored a magnificent century against Pakistan during the ICC Champions Trophy, crossing the 14,000-run milestone. With this performance, Kohli now has 14,085 runs, placing him third in the all-time ODI run charts, behind Kumar Sangakkara and Tendulkar. Ponting noted, “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli.” Kohli’s consistent performances have made him a crucial player for India, especially in high-pressure matches.
Fitness and Hunger: Key Factors
Ponting emphasized that Kohli’s fitness and eagerness to succeed will play pivotal roles in his quest to eclipse Tendulkar’s record. “As long as the hunger’s there—he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been and works exceptionally hard,” Ponting remarked. Despite needing over 4,000 runs to catch Tendulkar, Ponting believes Kohli’s determination makes it plausible. “With someone like Virat, you never write him off,” he added.
India’s Victory and Kohli’s Legacy
Kohli’s century against Pakistan not only led India to a six-wicket victory but also reinforced his legacy as one of cricket’s greats. The Indian bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav and Hardik Pandya, restricted Pakistan to 241 runs, setting the stage for Kohli’s stellar performance.
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