Ricky Ponting’s Praise for Virat Kohli’s ODI Potential
Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting believes that Virat Kohli has the best chance to be remembered as the all-time leading run-scorer in One Day Internationals (ODIs). In an interview on the ICC Review Podcast, Ponting expressed his confidence in Kohli’s ability to achieve this milestone. "With someone like Virat, you never write him off, because I’m sure he’d be motivated by that [achieving the record]," Ponting stated. Kohli has already surpassed Ponting’s record and is now only behind two legends: Mahela Jayawardene and Sachin Tendulkar. Ponting emphasized that Kohli’s physical fitness and unwavering hunger for success make him a formidable candidate for this historic achievement. "If the hunger’s still there, then I’m never going to write him off," he added.
Kohli’s Proximity to Jayawardene and Tendulkar
Ponting noted that Kohli is closing in on Jayawardene’s record and is expected to surpass it soon. "I know he’s nice and close to Sangakkara now. I don’t think it’s going to be long, maybe the next game before he goes past Sangakkara," Ponting predicted. However, Kohli still has a significant gap to bridge to catch up with Tendulkar, who holds the all-time record with over 18,000 ODI runs. Ponting marveled at the fact that despite being at the top of his ODI game for so long, Kohli is still more than 4,000 runs behind Tendulkar. This gap underscores Tendulkar’s exceptional longevity and consistent performance over his illustrious career.
Kohli’s Reign as the Best 50-Over Player
Ponting has long regarded Kohli as the best 50-over player he has ever seen. "He’s obviously been a champion player for a long, long time. And particularly, probably in the white-ball formats where he’s been an unbelievably good 50-over player," Ponting said. He reiterated his previous statement, asserting that he has never seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli. The former Australian captain was struck by the consistency and longevity of Kohli’s performance. "It’s crazy when you think about it, isn’t it? Just how good Virat’s been over such a long period of time," Ponting remarked, highlighting Kohli’s ability to maintain high levels of performance over an extended period.
Kohli’s Recent Form and Criticism
Kohli’s form has been under scrutiny recently, especially after a lean Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Australia, where he averaged just 23.75 with one century in nine innings. His performances in the two ODIs against England and India’s Champions Trophy opener against Bangladesh were also below par, scoring 5, 52, and 22 runs respectively. However, Ponting believes that these dips in form are part of the game and do not diminish Kohli’s overall standing. "Everyone goes through patches. What sets the greats apart is their ability to bounce back and perform when it matters most," Ponting noted.
Kohli’s Heroic Performance Against Pakistan
Kohli’s performance in the crucial Champions Trophy match against Pakistan was a testament to his resilience and big-match temperament. Ponting was not surprised by Kohli’s heroics in this high-stakes encounter. "Look, I’ve always said big games equal big names. You need your big names to stand up in those big moments. And no bigger game for India than a game against Pakistan," Ponting explained. He emphasized that players like Kohli are judged by their performances in the biggest contests on the international stage. "No bigger moment than Sunday night when Pakistan had batted first on a tricky wicket. It needed someone at the top of the order to play a match-winning innings like that. And once again, it was Kohli to get the job done," Ponting concluded.
The Legacy of Virat Kohli
Ricky Ponting’s comments highlight the various facets of Virat Kohli’s career, from his consistent performance in 50-over cricket to his ability to rise to the occasion in critical matches. Despite recent form issues, Kohli’s legacy as one of the greatest batsmen in the history of the game remains intact. Ponting’s praise and faith in Kohli’s potential to break Tendulkar’s ODI run-scoring record serve as a reminder of the Indian captain’s unparalleled talent and determination. As Kohli continues his journey, the cricket world watches with bated breath, eager to see if he can achieve this monumental feat and cement his place in cricket history as the all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs.
