Ponting Proposes New Role for Kohli in Upcoming T20 World Cup
ICC Hall of Fame inductee, Ricky Ponting, asserts that Virat Kohli should be the first name on the team sheet for India’s squad in the forthcoming ICC Men’s T20 World Cup. He also shares his thoughts on the ideal batting position for the star right-hander.
As the Men’s T20 World Cup draws near, there is heightened anticipation around the Indian cricket team’s selection and strategy, particularly regarding their starting XI for the tournament opener against Ireland in New York on June 5.
Ricky Ponting discussing the evolution of T20 batting | ICC Review
Kohli has been in exceptional form as an opener for Royal Challengers Bangalore in the ongoing Indian Premier League, scoring a tournament-high 708 runs from 14 innings. However, his strike rate at the top of the order has sparked debate.
Three-time ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup winner and Australian legend, Ponting, believes that while strike rates have become more important than averages in recent times, Kohli’s role in India’s success remains as crucial as ever.
“The mantra for teams a few years ago was to ensure that someone at the top of the order scored 80 or 100, even if it took them 60 balls. But the game is shifting towards a more strike rate-based approach where a quick 40 off 15 balls can have a bigger impact than a slower 80 off 55 balls,” Ponting shared with the ICC.
Although Kohli has typically batted at No.3 for India in T20s, Ponting suggests that the 35-year-old would be most effective opening the batting alongside captain Rohit Sharma in the T20 World Cup.
“The selectors have a decision to make regarding (Yashasvi) Jaiswal, who is in the squad. The team lacks left-hand batters, but I’m confident they’ll opt for Kohli and Rohit Sharma as openers,” Ponting added.
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Ponting is backing Kohli to shine on the grandest stage of all at the upcoming T20 World Cup.
“It’s peculiar with Virat. People in India always seem to find a reason not to select him or argue that he’s not as good as some other players in T20. But for me, he’s the first pick for India. He can play his role at the top, especially with the right support from high strike rate players like Suryakumar Yadav and Rohit Sharma,” he said.
Virat Kohli scored a flawless straight-batted six down the ground during India’s match against Bangladesh in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup 2022.
Kohli was the top run-scorer at the last Men’s T20 World Cup, delivering key performances in crucial matches, including his 82* against Pakistan and a solid 50 against England in the semi-finals.
Ponting believes Kohli’s ability to perform in high-pressure games is a significant advantage. “There was talk about Virat not being in the team just last year, but when the big games came around, he was one of the players who delivered. You can’t replace class and experience like that,” Ponting concluded.