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The ODI World Cup 2023 has turned out to be a spectacular ride for cricket enthusiasts so far, marked by thrilling performances from teams and players alike. Amidst all the excitement and fervour, former Australian cricket captain Ricky Ponting shared his thoughts on the ongoing World Cup and even went on to name the best ODI batter that he has ever seen.
A glance at Ricky Ponting’s illustrious career
Ponting is a renowned figure in the world of cricket, celebrated for his exceptional skills and remarkable leadership. He is just the second captain in cricketing history to clinch two ODI World Cup titles, a distinction shared with the legendary Clive Lloyd from the West Indies.
Throughout his illustrious Career, Ponting proudly donned the Australian jersey and represented his nation in 375 One Day Internationals (ODIs) and 168 Test matches, amassing a staggering total of 27,082 runs across both these formats. In his extraordinary Career, Ponting also recorded an astonishing 71 international centuries, a testament to his remarkable consistency and dedication, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats.
Ricky Ponting unveils the best ODI batter
In a recent interaction with the International Cricket Council (ICC), Ponting revealed the name of the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Ponting’s choice came as a surprise to many as he picked a batter from the current generation over the all-time greats Sachin Tendulkar, Brian Lara and many others.
Putting forward his thoughts on the performances in the first half of the ODI World Cup 2023, Ponting bluntly hailed India’s Virat Kohli as the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Ponting’s also acknowledged Virat’s outstanding records in the format.
“Virat is Virat; he’s the best 50-over player that I’ve ever seen. His record speaks for itself, and with that being said, he’s got off to a great start to this tournament. But I reckon India would probably rather him going better in the back half of the tournament than the start,” said Ponting.
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It is worth mentioning that Virat has consistently showcased his batting prowess in ODIs over the years, and his records are a testament to his remarkable consistency and ability to thrive under pressure. The Delhi-born cricketer’s passion, work ethic, and technique have made him one of the most admired cricketers in the world.
Notably, Virat is also just one century away from equaling legendary Sachin’s record for the most hundreds (49) in ODIs. Virat recently even became the fastest batter to reach 26000 international runs, a feat that further cemented his place as a modern-day great.
Ponting acknowledges other modern-day greats
While Ponting’s accolades for Virat were resounding, he also took a moment to acknowledge other modern-day greats in the form of England batter Joe Root, highlighting his consistent quality and adaptability across formats.
“Joe Root has elevated his game to another level across all three formats. What he has been able to do in the Test game has been outstanding, and that’s flown into his ODI batting,” Ponting added.
