“He is the absolute best” – Ricky Ponting praises Virat Kohli after heroic 49th ODI ton

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has called Indian batter Virat Kohli the best in the world after the latter equalled the great Sachin Tendulkar for having the most centuries in ODI history.

Kohli brought up his historic 49th ton on his birthday in the much-anticipated game against South Africa in the ongoing World Cup. He smashed an unbeaten 101 off 121 balls with the help of 10 fours.

Following his knock, Ponting didn’t hesitate to praise the former Indian skipper. He stated that he has been saying for a long time that Kohli is the best in the business even if he doesn’t breach Sachin’s records.

“There is no doubt he is the absolute best and I have said that for a long time,” Ponting noted. He didn’t need to equal Sachin’s record, he doesn’t need to break the record,” he told ICC.

Ponting also pointed out that to reach the 49 ODI hundreds in 175 fewer innings compared to Master Blaster, it’s unbelievable stuff from the 35-year-old batter. “If you look at his overall batting record it is incredible. To think that he got 49 ODI hundreds and equalled Sachin and in 175 less innings is unbelievable,” he added.

Read More: ‘Well played’ – Sachin Tendulkar congratulates Virat Kohli on his 49th ODI century

No stopping for Team India

Team India completely outclassed the Proteas on Sunday as they clinched the game by a massive 243 runs. Batting first, the hosts mounted a mammoth total of 326 on a slow surface.

In reply, South African batters had no clue to the questions raised by the Indian bowlers. One after another fall of wicket, the ruthless batting line-up falls like cards at Eden Gardens.

The latest win will add a lot of confidence to India’s camp ahead of the knockout phase. They are atop the points table with no defeats in eight games. They have one last league-stage game left against the Netherlands.

Read More: Hardik Pandya pens down emotional message after being ruled out of World Cup 2023