Virat Kohli is not in the list of the top five batters in Test cricket that former Australian batsman Ricky Ponting has ever named. Despite setting multiple records and scoring 9230 runs in 210 innings during his Test career, Kohli was nowhere to be seen.
He included Joe Root and Kane Williamson to the Fab Four, leaving out Steve Smith and Kohli.
“When I was captain, Brian Lara gave me more sleepless nights than anyone else because he was the most skilled batter I faced. According to The Times, Ponting said, “I’d put Joe in there now as well, and Kane Williamson, because Sachin was technically as good as anyone I’ve seen, along with Rahul Dravid.”
Ponting also gave an explanation for his selection of Ben Stokes, an English all-rounder with unimpressive stats.
Stokes is a challenging one. He is not defined by numbers. He is a situation player, therefore it has been about situations with him. He has performed well under the most trying circumstances. Impact on games must be discussed while discussing the greats,” he continued.
Players are ranked according on how long they can maintain their peak performance: Ponting
Despite a slow start to his Test career, Ponting went into additional detail about Root’s development as a performer.
“He has accomplished incredible things during the last five years. Take a look at the stats: 13,500 runs. Players are ranked according on how long they can maintain their peak abilities. You may play well for 30 to 40 games, but can you play well for 150? Despite having 17 hundreds in 97 Test matches, Joe was likely not a great player during his first 100 games. However, he has since developed into a fantastic player. Prior to the Oval Test, he had amassed 21 hundreds in his previous 60 games, Ponting said.
Ponting’s preferences did not include South Africa’s Jacques Kallis, for example. He currently has the highest average (55.37), out of all five of the format’s top run-getters.
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