Virat Kohli the best 50-overs player I have ever seen: Ricky Ponting

Legendary Australian skipper Ricky Ponting heaped huge praises on star Indian batter Virat Kohli, calling him the best ODI batter he has ever seen. Kohli's unbeaten century against Pakistan in the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 not only guided the Men in Blue to an important victory but also saw him surpass Ponting on the list of all-time highest run-scorers in international cricket.

In the blockbuster India-Pakistan clash in Dubai on February 23, the Men in Green posted a target of 241 runs in 49.4 overs after electing to bat first. Saud Shakeel (62), Mohammad Rizwan (46), and Khushdil Shah (38) contributed to the total, but India’s chase was anchored once again by Kohli. The veteran batter, who has faced criticism for his form, played an exceptional 100* off 111 balls. 

This century was Kohli’s first-ever ton in the Champions Trophy and his 51st in the 50-over format. Speaking on the ICC Review Podcast, Ponting showed his belief that Kohli has the best chance to end his career as the all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs.

"With someone like Virat, you never write him off, because I'm sure he'd be motivated by that [achieving the record], I think. Now that he's gone past me and only two ahead of him, I'm sure he wants to give himself the best chance to be remembered as the all-time leading run scorer in the game. So, as long as the hunger's there, obviously, physically wise, he's probably as fit as he's ever been and works exceptionally hard on that side of his game. So, if the hunger's still there, then I'm never going to write him off," the Australian said.

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I've always said big games equal big names: Ricky Ponting

The Delhi-born is now just 149 runs away from surpassing Kumar Sangakkara’s tally and remains 4341 runs behind Sachin Tendulkar’s iconic record in ODIs. Ponting mentioned about the challenge of achieving these feats but was confident that Kohli’s hunger and fitness would keep him going.

"I know he's nice and close to Sangakkara now. I don't think it's going to be long, maybe the next game before he goes past Sangakkara. But still, a little way to go to catch Sachin. He's obviously been a champion player for a long, long time. And particularly, probably in the white-ball formats where he's been an unbelievably good 50-over player," Ponting said.

"In fact, I think I'm on record before saying I don't think I've ever seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli," Ponting added.

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The former Indian skipper's ability to perform on the biggest occasion has set him apart from others, and his century against Pakistan one of those examples. Ponting was not surprised by Kohli’s heroics, especially considering his ability to shine in high-pressure matches.

"Look, I've always said big games equal big names. You need your big names to stand up in those big moments. And no bigger game for India than a game against Pakistan. So, it's no surprise to me that that has happened. I think it's very much the same as what we would say whenever we play England. Your reputation is forged in what you do in the biggest contests on the international stage. And no bigger moment than Sunday night when Pakistan had batted first on a tricky wicket. It needed someone at the top of the order to play a match-winning innings like that. And once again, it was Kohli to get the job done," the former concluded.