Former Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has thrown his support behind Indian cricket star Virat Kohli’s quest to surpass the record for the most centuries in One Day Internationals (ODIs), currently held by former teammate Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli, who has scored an impressive 47 centuries in 282 ODIs, is just two centuries away from Tendulkar’s enduring record of 49 centuries in 463 ODIs.
Ponting, speaking on the latest episode of The ICC Review podcast, expressed his confidence in Kohli’s ability to achieve this milestone during the ongoing ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup, which is taking place in India.
“I think he will. I think he’ll definitely get two hundreds, whether he gets the three is another thing,” Ponting said.
He continued, “But the venues, the wickets, and the grounds in India are just so conducive to scoring, making big runs. Who knows with him, it’s probably his last World Cup as well. If he gets that mindset, and we saw that he’s in pretty good touch, and we know with him he’s always hungry. He’s a winner, he wants success for himself and for his team.”
Ponting emphasized that the conditions in India are favorable for scoring runs, and Kohli’s determination and hunger for success make it possible for him to achieve this remarkable feat.
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Kohli recently overcame a lean patch in ODI centuries, scoring four hundreds in 15 innings since December 2022, ending a drought that lasted from August 2019. Ponting praised Kohli’s work ethic and fitness, highlighting his dedication on and off the field.
The 34-year-old Kohli has scored two centuries in past Cricket World Cups and has a successful track record in ODI cricket. His first ODI century came in December 2009, and his most recent century in the format was an unbeaten 122 against Pakistan in the Asia Cup Super Four last month.
“Sachin’s record of 49 one-day international hundreds is amazing. But he deserves that, he works hard. You watch him even in the field, game one, he just looks ultra fit, is up for the contest every ball whether it’s in the field or with these batting hands. So I’d never write him off,” Ponting concluded.
As Kohli competes in the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, cricket fans around the world will be eagerly watching his performances and whether he can indeed break Tendulkar’s long-standing record.
