Virat Kohli not an all-time great? Ricky Ponting makes big 'numbers have dropped' claim

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting lauded Indian veteran batter Virat Kohli following his retirement from Test cricket ahead of the England tour. The World Cup-winning captain stated that Kohli deserves a place among the all-time greats for his performances in the longer format of the game.

Virat Kohli announced his retirement from Test cricket on May 12. Kohli amassed 9,230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85 — the fourth-highest run-scorer for India in Tests. He smashed 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries in the format. Notably, he led the Indian Test team between 2015 and 2022.

Virat Kohli Will Be Remembered as One of the Greats - Ricky Ponting

Speaking to the ICC, Ricky Ponting acknowledged a slight dip in Virat Kohli’s performance over the past few years. He stated that Kohli is among the top Indian Test players and will be remembered as one of the greats.

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"Well, he's got to be right up there as far as the all-time greats are concerned. I'm not sure if the question's about Indian players only, but if it is, then he's right at the top there. And I guess if you look back, if you're comparing him to the all-time great Test match players, the last couple of years, his numbers have probably dropped off a little bit," Ponting said.

"He averaged well over 50 for a lot of his career. Then, in the last three or four years, those numbers have dropped down to, I don't know what it is now, 46 or 47 Test match average, I think 30 Test match hundreds. So he'll be remembered as one of the greats, there's no doubt about it. And he should be," he added.

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He'll Be Remembered for a Lot of Things - Ricky Ponting

Ricky Ponting said that Virat Kohli managed pressure admirably while leading India for a long time. He also credited Kohli with transforming Indian cricket through his playing style, fitness, and attitude. Ponting concluded that Kohli’s legacy will go beyond just his batting achievements in Test cricket.

"I think the one thing that we probably don't understand from Australia or England or most other countries is the pressure that a lot of these Indian players play under day in and day out," Ponting continued.

"To cope with that and be captain of India for as long as he was, and probably rebrand Indian cricket with the way that he went about his cricket, with his style of play, his fitness levels, and his attitude towards the game. I think he'll be remembered for a lot of things, not only his batting in Test match cricket," he concluded.

Virat Kohli’s Remarkable Legacy as India’s Test Captain

Virat Kohli had a successful tenure as India’s Test captain, leading the team in 68 matches and securing 40 victories, the most by any Indian in the format. Notably, 16 of those wins came on foreign soil. He is the Indian captain with the highest number of overseas Test wins.

Kohli became the first Indian captain to win a Test series in Australia during the 2018-19 tour. His victories in challenging conditions across Australia, England, and South Africa helped build the belief that India could compete with and defeat top teams away from home.

Shubman Gill has been appointed as the new Test captain of India. He replaced Rohit Sharma, who retired from Test cricket on May 7. India’s tour of England will begin on June 20, the beginning of the 2025-27 World Test Championship cycle.

Also read: Rajat Patidar called Paper captain! Virat Kohli's close friend makes huge statement after Qualifier 1 victory