"Any Other Cricket Fan Wouldn't Want To See Virat Kohli Playing In 2027 World Cup.."- Ricky Ponting
Published - 07 Nov 2023, 05:30 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:22 AM
Former Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting expressed his admiration for Indian batter Virat Kohli’s exceptional performance in World Cup tournaments. Ricky Ponting sarcastically stated that cricket fans wouldn’t want to see Virat Kohli in the next ODI World Cup.
Virat Kohli has been in sensational batting form in the ICC World Cup 2023 at home. The right-handed batter currently holds second place in the batting charts, just behind Quinton de Kock. He has scored 543 runs in eight matches with an impressive average of 108.60.
Virat Kohli Progressively Getting Better – Ricky Ponting
While doing commentary for Star Sports during the India-South Africa match, Ricky Ponting highlighted Virat Kohli’s consistent improvement in World Cup performances. Ponting suggested that if Kohli plays in the 2027 edition, he could accumulate 600-700 runs.
“I meant the one that you were reading out those numbers of Kohli World Cup after World Cup, progressively getting better. Any other cricket fan other than an Indian fan will not want him to play in the next World Cup. If he gets to 2027, we’re looking at 600-700 runs plus,” Ricky Ponting said.
Kohli made his ODI World Cup debut against Bangladesh in 2011, where he scored a brilliant hundred in his first game. He scored 282 runs at an average of 35.25 during his maiden season. In the following season, he scored 305 runs with an average of 50.83.
The Delhi-born cricketer led the Indian team to the semi-finals in the last edition of the tournament. He scored 443 runs in nine innings with an impressive average of 55.38. Although he registered five half-centuries, he couldn’t convert any of them into a century.
Might Be A Bit Of A Monkey Off His Back – Ricky Ponting
Speaking to the ICC, Ricky Ponting highlighted that Virat Kohli’s feat of scoring 49 ODI hundreds and equaling Sachin Tendulkar’s record in 175 fewer innings is truly remarkable. He suggested that Kohli had worked diligently to reach this milestone.
“There is no doubt he is the absolute best and I have said that for a long time. To think that he (Kohli) got 49 ODI hundreds and equalled Sachin and in 175 less innings is unbelievable. That (49th ton) might be a bit of a monkey off his back. I think he has been working extra hard to equal Sachin’s record.”
Tagged:
ICC Cricket World Cup 2023 ICC ODI World Cup 2023 India National Cricket Team Ricky Ponting Virat Kohli
