“Someone Like Kohli Around A Team…” : Ricky Ponting Lauds Virat Kohli Captainship

Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has expressed high praise for Virat Kohli, recognizing his transformative impact on Test cricket in India.

Since taking over the captaincy at the end of 2014 and leading until early 2022, Kohli has been instrumental in reshaping the team’s approach, instilling an aggressive mindset that has redefined Indian cricket.

Ponting pointed out that Kohli’s leadership marked a significant turnaround for the Indian team, allowing them to believe in their capabilities, particularly in overseas conditions. Notably, under Kohli’s captaincy, India made history by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil.

Reflecting on Kohli’s influence, Ponting stated, “Their fast-bowling depth is great. The leadership in the last 6-7 years has been strong. Going back to Kohli’s start of captaincy, he played a big role in turning the cricket around, and Dravid has continued the same in the recent four years. The influence of someone like that [Kohli] around a team would be great.”

During Kohli’s tenure, India played 68 Tests, achieving 40 wins, 17 losses, and 11 draws, solidifying his status as one of the most successful red-ball captains in Indian history. This successful period also saw a notable change in the team’s mentality, with Ponting reminiscing about India’s historic victory at the Gabba during the 2020-21 series, where they became the first visiting team in 32 years to win at that venue. He commented on the newfound confidence of Indian players, saying, “I don’t think they’re as daunted by the Gabba or the Optus Oval as they maybe once were.”

Ponting also highlighted the role of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in this evolution, noting that the high-pressure environment of the league has helped prepare young Indian players for international cricket. “For the last 10 years being around the IPL, I’ve noticed that a lot of the young guys don’t fear the big stage anymore… Their batsmen are all very aggressive stroke-making players. They are not scared of failing,” he added.

As Kohli prepares to tour Australia as a player under the captaincy of Rohit Sharma, he carries the legacy of a captain who not only changed the dynamics of Indian cricket but also laid the groundwork for the team’s future success on the global stage.