Ricky Ponting Backs Virat Kohli for Border-Gavaskar Trophy Against Australia
Australian cricket legend Ricky Ponting has expressed his support for Indian cricket star Virat Kohli as he prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia. Despite concerns about Kohli’s recent form, Ponting believes in the greatness of the player and expects him to perform well in the series.
Virat Kohli’s Recent Performance
Virat Kohli has faced challenges in recent years, with a decline in his Test cricket performance. From 2016 to 2019, Kohli averaged over 50 in Test matches, but since then, his average has dropped to 31.68, with only two centuries in 34 Tests. In 2024, his average fell to 22.72, the lowest since his Test debut in 2011. Kohli also slipped out of the top-20 in the ICC Men’s Test Batting Rankings for the first time in a decade.
Ponting’s Confidence in Kohli
Despite these statistics, Ponting remains confident in Kohli’s abilities. He noted that Kohli has a strong record against Australia, having scored 1,352 runs in 13 Tests in Australia at an average of 54.08. Ponting believes that the upcoming series is an opportunity for Kohli to regain his form and contribute significantly to India’s success.
Upcoming Series Details
The Border-Gavaskar series between India and Australia is set to begin on November 22 in Perth. The series will include five Tests, with matches in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. This series is crucial for India’s qualification for the ICC World Test Championship Final 2025.
Doubts Revealed
Ricky Ponting -: Ricky Ponting is a former Australian cricketer and one of the best batsmen in the history of cricket. He is known for his aggressive playing style and was the captain of the Australian cricket team.
Virat Kohli -: Virat Kohli is an Indian cricketer and one of the best batsmen in the world. He has been the captain of the Indian cricket team and is known for his excellent batting skills and leadership.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy -: The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is a cricket series played between India and Australia. It is named after two famous cricketers, Allan Border from Australia and Sunil Gavaskar from India.
Test cricket -: Test cricket is the longest format of the game, played over five days. It is considered the ultimate test of a cricketer’s skill and endurance.
ICC World Test Championship -: The ICC World Test Championship is a tournament organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC) to determine the best Test cricket team in the world. Teams earn points by winning matches and aim to qualify for the final.
Perth -: Perth is a city in Australia where one of the Test matches in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be played. It is known for its beautiful beaches and parks.
