Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has commented on the debate over who is better between former India player Sachin Tendulkar and current India captain Virat Kohli. Sachin Tendulkar is one of the most celebrated players in the world. He has scored more than 30,000 international runs. He has more runs in Tests and ODIs than any other player. Along with this, He has more centuries in Tests and ODIs as well. There are very few players in cricket fraternity who are as great as Sachin Tendulkar.
Very few people would have thought that anyone might come close to Tendulkar’s record. However, Virat Kohli looks like he could break Tendulkar’s record. He has been in a ravishing form for the last couple of years and is now on a verge of breaking one of Tendulkar’s records – 49 tons in ODIs. India captain is currently second in the chart of most ODI centuries with 41 ODI tons and he needs only 8 centuries to equal Tendulkar’s record.
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While talking about this, Ponting shared his views as well. He said that after Kohli’s retirement, the question can be best answered. Along with this, he also said that India has a possibility to win the upcoming ICC World Cup if Virat Kohli continues his form in the tournament.
“I don’t think we can get to the conclusion till Virat’s career is over,” Ponting said The Times of India (TOI). “Only then will we have a clearer picture. Sachin is a legend. Yes, you can say Virat is piling up runs. His Test average is more than 50 (53.76). But Sachin maintained that (average) in 200 Tests. Virat’s ODI record, though, is unbelievable. That’s why I feel India are a very dangerous side. If Virat has a good World Cup, India will win.”
However, He also said that Kohli’s approach towards the game is similar to his. Ponting is one of the most successful captains in the history of cricket.
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“I can relate to Virat because when I watch him play, I think a lot of his attitude is similar to mine. On the field, he is aggressive, wears his heart on his sleeve, (though) his body language can get out of control sometimes. That is like me… I was the same. When you are out there, competing, in the heat of battle, things happen. Yeah, I can see a bit of myself in Virat, especially on the field, not so much on the batting side of things. We are probably naturally aggressive people and that comes across in the way we bat,” said Ponting.
