ICC World Cup 2023: Kohli is ‘absolute best’ batter on this planet, says Ponting

Virat Kohli is the “absolute best” batter on this planet on the idea of his general report and he didn’t must equal legendary Sachin Tendulkar’s report variety of ODI a whole lot to earn that tag, feels former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

Kohli equalled Tendulkar’s report of 49 ODI centuries with a superb 101 not out in opposition to South Africa on his thirty fifth birthday in a World Cup match on Sunday. The century solely additional strengthened Kohli’s case of being one of many biggest gamers of contemporary occasions.

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“There is no doubt he is the absolute best and I have said that for a long time,” Ponting stated on the ICC web site.

“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,” stated Ponting, himself a legendary batter.

The century in opposition to South Africa was Kohli’s second of the match and fourth general in all 50-over World Cups. The 35-year-old now has a complete of 543 runs at this version of the World Cup at an imposing common of 108.60.

Ponting eluded to the truth that Kohli reached the feat of forty ninth ODI ton in 175 innings lower than Tendulkar.

“To think that he (Kohli) got 49 ODI hundreds and equalled Sachin and in 175 less innings is unbelievable.”

Ponting predicted a extra harmful Kohli within the the rest of the World Cup as he can play with extra freedom now that he has drawn stage with Tendulkar.

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“That (49th ton) might be a bit of a monkey off his back. 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 semifinals. It was an almost perfect day for Virat and a great day for India.”

Ponting was additionally extremely impressed with the robust influence Indian bowlers have had in a lot of their resounding victories. He stated the Indian bowling assault has been the most effective of all of the groups within the ongoing World Cup.

South Africa’s star-studded batting line-up was skittled for simply 83 on Sunday and solely two groups have managed to bat out their 50 overs in opposition to India by their first eight video games of the match.

India now has three gamers among the many prime 10 wicket-takers on the match – Mohammed Shami (16), Jasprit Bumrah (15) and Ravindra Jadeja (14).

“What we have seen in this World Cup so far, is that India’s bowling attack has clearly been the best,” Ponting stated.

“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.”