Ricky Ponting, an Australian icon, believes Virat Kohli’s 49th ODI ton, which tied Sachin Tendulkar’s record, has come at a very fortunate moment for the tar Indian hitter. Ricky Ponting believes that with the 2023 World Cup knockouts approaching, Kohli’s century is like a monkey off his back.
On Sunday, November 5, India defeated South Africa by a massive 243 runs at Eden Gardens in Kolkata in the 2023 World Cup match. Virat Kohli was named Player of the Match after scoring an unbeaten 101 from 121 balls on his 35th birthday.
In Pune, the right-handed hitter got his 48th one-day century against Bangladesh. He came within a whisker of equaling Tendulkar’s record of most ODI tons against New Zealand and Sri Lanka, but fell just short.
Ricky Ponting stated in the latest episode of the ICC’s Digital Daily that the game against South Africa was a near-perfect day for Kohli and India.
“That might be a bit of a monkey off his back [49th ODI ton]. I think he has been working extra hard to equal Sachin’s record. That’s done now and it has happened at a really good time at the tournament for him. One more game to go and then they head into the semi-finals. It was an almost perfect day for Virat and a great day for India.”
Ricky Ponting
While Kohli continues to astound fans and analysts with his incredible performances, the former Australian captain remarked that the Indian run machine did not need to shatter Tendulkar’s record to demonstrate his brilliance. Kohli’s total record, according to the 48-year-old, demonstrates his intelligence.
“There is no doubt he is the absolute best and I have said that for a long time. He didn’t need to equal Sachin’s record, he doesn’t need to break the record. If you look at his overall batting record it is incredible. To think that he got 49 ODI hundreds and equalled Sachin and in 175 less innings is unbelievable.”
Ricky Ponting
Kohli is the 2023 World Cup’s second-leading run-scorer, with 543 runs in eight innings at an average of 108.60 and a strike rate of 88.29.
“India’s bowling attack has clearly been the best’ – Ricky Ponting
Apart from Kohli’s brilliance, Ricky Ponting commented on the significance of India’s bowling lineup in their great World Cup run. He said without hesitation that the Men in Blue have the finest bowling assault in the game.
“What we have seen in this World Cup so far, is that India’s bowling attack has clearly been the best. Opposition teams are going to have to put a lot of analysis into how they play Bumrah, how they are going to play (Mohammed) Siraj, as they need to get on top of these guys early. Because if they don’t, their spinners will come and get you in the middle of the game,” the former Aussie batter concluded.
Ricky Ponting
In Kolkata, India bundled out South Africa for 83. They had previously defeated Sri Lanka for 55 in Mumbai. In the 2023 World Cup, Mohammad Shami (16), Jasprit Bumrah (15), and Ravindra Jadeja (14) are among the top 10 wicket-takers.