“He’s the best 50-over player that I’ve ever seen” – Ricky Ponting talks upon Virat Kohli phenomenal first half 2023 World Cup.

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently expressed his admiration for the exceptional Indian batsman, Virat Kohli, labeling him as the finest One Day International (ODI) cricketer he has ever witnessed. Kohli’s remarkable career has been a testament to his prowess, having amassed an impressive 13,437 runs with 48 centuries to his name. In the ongoing 2023 World Cup, the 34-year-old cricketer has continued to showcase his exceptional skills.

Kohli’s performance in the first half of the 2023 World Cup has been nothing short of extraordinary. He currently stands as the fifth-highest run-scorer in the tournament, having accumulated 354 runs in just five matches, boasting an impressive average of 118 and a strike rate of 90.53. These statistics are a testament to his consistency and remarkable ability to anchor the Indian innings effectively.

One of the standout moments of the tournament was Kohli’s crucial innings of 85 in India’s opening match against Australia. This performance set the tone for India’s campaign in the World Cup and displayed his ability to rise to the occasion when it matters most. Kohli’s scintillating knocks of 103* and 95 in their previous two victories against Bangladesh and New Zealand, respectively, further cemented his reputation as one of the most dependable and explosive batsmen in the ODI format.

In a recent interview with ICC, Ricky Ponting showered praise on Virat Kohli’s stellar performance in the early stages of the World Cup. Ponting’s endorsement of Kohli’s abilities adds further weight to the Indian captain’s status as one of the cricketing world’s most accomplished players. Ponting also hinted at the potential for even greater contributions from Kohli as the tournament progresses, underlining the crucial role he is expected to play in leading Team India to success in the backend of the World Cup.

Ricky Ponting said “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.”