The debate over the greatest batter in One Day International (ODI) cricket has been a long-standing one, with legendary names such as Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, and a few others dominating discussions. While some believe Tendulkar’s unmatched records make him the ultimate ODI batter, others argue that Ponting’s consistency and match-winning ability put him ahead. With the evolution of the game and the rise of modern-day greats, the debate continues to spark opinions from cricketing legends.
Ricky Ponting picks his choice
Former Australia captain Ponting has now weighed in on the debate, naming Virat Kohli as the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Speaking on the ICC Review, Ponting expressed his admiration for Kohli’s remarkable consistency and hunger for runs.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli. Now that he’s gone past me (on the run-scorer’s list) and only two batters are ahead of him, I’m sure he would want to give himself the best chance to be remembered as the all-time leading run-scorer in the game,” Ponting said.
Ponting also highlighted Kohli’s incredible fitness levels and unwavering dedication to the game, emphasizing how his commitment to maintaining peak physical condition has played a crucial role in his longevity and success. The former Australian skipper acknowledged that Kohli’s work ethic, both on and off the field, has been instrumental in sustaining his high standards over the years.
“Physically, he’s probably as fit as he’s ever been and works exceptionally hard on that side of his game. It’s crazy when you think about it, isn’t it? Just how good Virat’s been over such a long period of time, yet he’s still 4,000 runs behind Sachin,” he added.
Despite acknowledging the enormity of Tendulkar’s achievements, Ponting believes Kohli should never be ruled out of surpassing the Indian maestro.
“It just goes to show how good Sachin was, but also his longevity in the game. But with someone like Virat, you never write him off. If the hunger’s still there, then I’m never going to write him off (to overtake Tendulkar),” the Tasmanian remarked.
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A champion player who always stands up for India
Ponting further praised Kohli’s ability to perform under pressure, particularly in high-stakes encounters. He cited Kohli’s memorable knock in the 2022 T20 World Cup against Pakistan as an example of his match-winning abilities.
“In 2022 (T20 World Cup) and now, he stood up against the team that he would probably steel himself the most to play against. When Pakistan had batted first on a tricky wicket, it needed someone at the top of the order to play a match-winning innings like that. Once again, it was Kohli to get the job done. He’s been a champion player for a long, long time. And particularly in the white-ball formats, where he’s been an unbelievably good 50-over player,” Ponting added further.
With Kohli still going strong in international cricket, the race to become the all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs remains open. Whether he surpasses Tendulkar or not, Kohli has already left an indelible mark on the game, earning the admiration of cricketing greats like Ponting.
