Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has expressed his admiration for Virat Kohli, hailing the Indian batter’s remarkable consistency and longevity in One Day Internationals (ODIs). Speaking on The ICC Review, Ponting, who is one of the highest run-scorers in the format, acknowledged that Kohli has the potential to surpass the all-time ODI run record.
Kohli Surpasses Ponting in All-Time ODI Run Rankings
Kohli, during his brilliant century against Pakistan at the ICC Champions Trophy in Dubai, crossed the 14,000-run milestone, placing him ahead of Ponting, who has 13,704 runs. With 14,085 runs to his name, Kohli now trails only Kumar Sangakkara (14,234 runs) and Sachin Tendulkar (18,426 runs).
Ponting, who is widely respected for his outstanding career, praised Kohli’s accomplishments in white-ball cricket. “He’s obviously been a champion player for a long time,” Ponting said. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli.”
Kohli’s Fitness and Hunger Key to Surpassing Tendulkar’s Record
Ponting believes that Kohli’s fitness and hunger for success will be crucial in his pursuit of Sachin Tendulkar’s record. While Kohli still needs over 4,000 more runs to surpass Tendulkar’s tally, Ponting is not counting him out.
“As long as the hunger’s there — physically, he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been,” Ponting added. “He works exceptionally hard on that side of his game.”
Ponting also reflected on Kohli’s incredible consistency, noting that it’s “crazy” that despite Kohli’s stellar form over the years, he is still some distance behind Tendulkar’s monumental record. However, he made it clear that Kohli’s unwavering determination makes him a force to reckon with.
“But with someone like Virat, you never write him off,” Ponting emphasized. “If the hunger’s still there, then I’m never going to write him off.”
Kohli’s Stunning Century Against Pakistan
Kohli’s recent century against Pakistan was another testament to his brilliance under pressure. His unbeaten knock guided India to a six-wicket victory in Dubai, securing more than just a match win—he also added another milestone to his impressive list of achievements.
Meanwhile, India’s bowlers, led by Kuldeep Yadav (3/40) and Hardik Pandya (2/31), kept Pakistan’s total to a manageable 241. Despite an early hiccup in their chase, India’s batting lineup, with Kohli’s steadying presence and Shreyas Iyer’s composed 56, ensured a comfortable win.
Can Kohli Surpass Tendulkar?
With his fitness, consistency, and hunger for runs, Virat Kohli has a genuine chance to break Sachin Tendulkar’s ODI run record. Will he achieve this feat and etch his name in the cricketing history books? Only time will tell, but one thing is for sure—Kohli’s journey in ODIs is far from over, and he continues to impress cricket fans worldwide with every match he plays.
What do you think? Could Virat Kohli break Sachin Tendulkar’s long-standing record? Share your thoughts with us!
