‘That is a concern’ – Ricky Ponting points out worrying Virat Kohli stat in Test cricket

‘That is a concern’ – Ricky Ponting points out worrying Virat Kohli stat in Test cricket (Source: X/Twitter)

Ricky Ponting expressed concerns about Virat Kohli’s form in Test cricket ahead of the high-voltage Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. The former India captain has received a lot of flak for his abysmal performances, especially in the last two series against Bangladesh and New Zealand.

Kohli’s technical flaws against the spinners have been highlighted by the experts as the talismanic batter looked all at sea in the New Zealand series against the likes of Mitchell Santner and Ajaz Patel. After the Blackcaps whitewashed India 3-0, the Asian giants have their backs against the wall in the World Test Championship (WTC) and need a herculean effort in Australia to reach the finals. Ponting said that any other batter, who would score two centuries in the last five years would be dropped from the national team.

“I saw a stat the other day about Virat, it said he’s only scored two (three) Test hundreds in the last five years. That didn’t seem right to me, but if that is right, then that is, I mean, that’s a concern,” Ponting said while speaking on the latest episode of ICC Review.

“There wouldn’t be anyone else probably even playing international cricket as a top-order batsman that’s only scored two Test match hundreds in five years,” he added.

If there’s a time for him to turn it around, it’d be this series: Ricky Ponting

Ponting backed the 36-year-old to do well in the impending five-match Test series against Australia. The former noted that Kohli loves players against Australia and has a very good record Down Under. Ponting said that he won’t be surprised to see Kohli getting among the runs in the first Test which will be played at the Optus Stadium in Perth, starting November 22.

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“I’ve said it before about Virat, you don’t ever question the greats of the game. There’s no doubt, he’s a great of the game. He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record (in Australia) is very good. If there’s a time for him to turn it around, it’d be this series. So I wouldn’t be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game,” Ponting concluded.