The controversy over the best batter in One Day Worldwide (ODI) cricket has been a long-standing one, with legendary names reminiscent of Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and some others dominating discussions. Whereas some imagine Tendulkar’s unmatched data make him the last word ODI batter, others argue that Ponting’s consistency and match-winning potential put him forward. With the evolution of the sport and the rise of modern-day greats, the talk continues to spark opinions from cricketing legends.
Ricky Ponting picks his alternative
Former Australia captain Ponting has now weighed in on the talk, naming Virat Kohli as one of the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Talking on the ICC Evaluation, Ponting expressed his admiration for Kohli’s exceptional consistency and starvation for runs.
“I don’t assume I’ve ever seen a greater 50-over participant than Virat Kohli. Now that he’s gone previous me (on the run-scorer’s record) and solely two batters are forward of him, I’m certain he would wish to give himself one of the best likelihood to be remembered because the all-time main run-scorer within the recreation,” Ponting stated.
Ponting additionally highlighted Kohli’s unimaginable health ranges and unwavering dedication to the sport, emphasizing how his dedication to sustaining peak bodily situation has performed an important function in his longevity and success. The previous Australian skipper acknowledged that Kohli’s work ethic, each on and off the sphere, has been instrumental in sustaining his excessive requirements through the years.
“Bodily, he’s most likely as match as he’s ever been and works exceptionally laborious on that facet of his recreation. It’s loopy when you concentrate on it, isn’t it? Simply how good Virat’s been over such a protracted time period, but he’s nonetheless 4,000 runs behind Sachin,” he added.
Regardless of acknowledging the enormity of Tendulkar’s achievements, Ponting believes Kohli ought to by no means be dominated out of surpassing the Indian maestro.
“It simply goes to point out how good Sachin was, but additionally his longevity within the recreation. However with somebody like Virat, you by no means write him off. If the starvation’s nonetheless there, then I’m by no means going to jot down him off (to overhaul Tendulkar),” the Tasmanian remarked.
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A champion participant who at all times stands up for India
Ponting additional praised Kohli’s potential to carry out below strain, significantly in high-stakes encounters. He cited Kohli’s memorable knock within the 2022 T20 World Cup towards Pakistan for example of his match-winning skills.
“In 2022 (T20 World Cup) and now, he stood up towards the workforce that he would most likely metal himself essentially the most to play towards. When Pakistan had batted first on a difficult wicket, it wanted somebody on the prime of the order to play a match-winning innings like that. As soon as once more, it was Kohli to get the job finished. He’s been a champion participant for a protracted, very long time. And significantly within the white-ball codecs, the place he’s been an unbelievably good 50-over participant,” Ponting added additional.
With Kohli nonetheless going robust in worldwide cricket, the race to develop into the all-time main run-scorer in ODIs stays open. Whether or not he surpasses Tendulkar or not, Kohli has already left an indelible mark on the sport, incomes the admiration of cricketing greats like Ponting.
