Ricky Ponting, a former Australian captain, emphasized that Virat Kohli's aggressive and fervent style of cricket, especially in Test matches, is the main reason for his popularity in Australia. His remarks come before the Australia-India Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 (BGT 2024-25) kicks off in Perth on November 22.
Virat Kohli is making his fifth tour of Australia and he has a very good record down under. However, he is coming off a very poor batting form including 90-odd runs in 3 Tests against New Zealand at home.
Despite concerns about his form and Test career, his prominence in Australia remains undiminished, with local media featuring him prominently through posters and slogans that reflect his significant status.
"Kohli is a star. He is a superstar and has been a superstar of the game for so long. He is passionate about the way that he plays. He is passionate about his team. He wants to win and he plays with his heart on his sleeve,” Ponting told The ICC Review.
Ponting claims that Kohli's allure goes beyond his skill as a cricket player to include his spirit of competition on the field. Because it aligns with their sporting beliefs, Australian fans love this strong and emotive style.
"That is what superstar players generate and create all around the world. And there are lots of different degrees of that," he explains.
Kohli has 1352 runs in 25 innings at 54.08 with six centuries. He led India to a historic victory in 2018/19, achieving the first Test series win by an Asian team in Australia.
Ponting commends Kohli's leadership qualities and his willingness to take responsibility for his team in challenging situations.
"I had a look at what Ravi (Shastri, the former head coach of India with Kohli as captain) had to say about being the man that wanted to take all the bullets in Australia last time," Ponting recalled, referencing Kohli's previous Australian tours. "And that is what you expect from your leaders and your star players," he added.
"When you travel abroad, and you know that the country's against you, and you know the home media's against you, you need to have your senior players stand up and be the protectors, if you like, of the younger players in that side," Ponting added.
Ponting emphasized that in Australia, older players like Jasprit Bumrah and Rohit Sharma will share leadership duties.
"So I have got no doubt that's the way Virat will approach this tour, Rohit Sharma will approach this tour, Bumrah will approach this tour. The senior guys need to stand up and lead the way," Ponting concluded.
With 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at 66.79, including 16 hundreds and 10 fifties, Virat's 2016–2019 phase is regarded as one of the best in Test cricket history. He set the record for the most double hundreds by a Test captain during this period with seven.
(ICC inputs)
