Former Australia skipper and a two time World Cup winning skipper Ricky Ponting are of the opinion that Team India skipper Virat Kohli hasn’t changed his style of batting. When asked whether he saw signs of greatness in Virat Kohli when he burst onto the scene, Ponting said that he always saw the hunger in him. In the last 8-9 years, Kohli has taken giant strides in international cricket. Currently, he is the best batsmen in the world across formats.
Ricky Ponting also gave the example of former Australia skipper Steve Smith. He is one of the finest batsmen of the modern generation. However, he broke into the Australian team as a premier leg spin bowler. He worked hard on his batting and now boasts of the 2nd highest average in Test cricket just after Sir Don Bradman.
Virat Kohli (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)
Ricky Ponting says he is not sure whether Virat Kohli changed his batting style
“I am not sure he (Virat) has changed his style. Steve Smith is exactly the same. Steve Smith didn’t turn into the player he is when he first came into the Australian team. He debuted as a leg-spinner that batted at No. 8,” Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by Cricbuzz.
Ponting feels that Steve Smith always had the talent to succeed in international cricket. He might not have been born as a batsman but he worked very hard to reach this level. Had Smith not been suspended from international cricket for a year due to the infamous ball-tampering scandal, he might well have added many more runs and centuries to his already illustrious Test record.
“At the same time, you talk about talent, you talk about greatness, we knew Steve Smith had talent because he would do little things with the bat that other guys wouldn’t. You throw him a bouncer in the nets and he would hit back like a tennis smash! We thought what is he doing, but he could do it, do things that were a bit different. Then he worked out a style of play that would stand up in Test cricket. He has done it and Virat has done it. More importantly, Virat has found a lifestyle to give himself the best chance to be the best player he can be,” Ricky Ponting added.
Virat Kohli and Ricky Ponting share a moment during one of the previous IPL’s. (Image Courtesy: BCCI)
Both Steve Smith and David Warner should be available for selection in the 2019 World Cup. It will make Australia a formidable team in the tournament. On the other hand, Kohli will look to continue his rich vein of form in the Indian Premier League. There is no doubt about the fact that Virat Kohli is the best batsmen in the world. However, after Smith returns it will be interesting to see how things pan out especially in the longest format of the game.
