Ricky Ponting Reflects on Kohli’s Test Legacy: ‘He Rebranded Indian Cricket’

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has heaped praise on Indian batter Virat Kohli, following his Test retirement. Ponting stated that Virat will be remembered as one of the greats in the game.

Virat Kohli announced retirement from the longest format of the game earlier this month. Kohli represented India in 123 Test matches, amassing 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85. With 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries, he is the fourth highest run-scorer for India in Tests. He also led the Indian Test team between 2015 and 2022.

Virat is among the top Test players

Talking to the ICC, Ricky Ponting commented on the drop in Virat’s performance in recent years. However, he also stated that the Indian batter is an all-time great.

“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 is 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.

‘He’ll be remembered for a lot…’

Ponting applauded Virat’s ability to manage pressure well, while leading the team for so long. He also credited Virat with transforming Indian cricket and said that he will be remembered for more than his batting achievements.

“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.

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