Ricky Ponting reveals his expectation from Virat Kohli in Australia Test series

Legendary Australian captain Ricky Ponting opened up his expectations from the former Indian captain Virat Kohli in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia. 

India are getting ready to begin their journey in the upcoming five-match Test series against the hosts Australia. They are suddenly under immense pressure after poorly losing the three-match home Test series against New Zealand. 

That's a huge result: Ponting on New Zealand's recent Test series dominance in India

Even without experienced and dependable Kane Williamson, New Zealand not only won their first-ever Test series in India, but the hosts also suffered their first-ever home Test series whitewash while playing more than two Tests in a series.   

Ricky Ponting claimed that it was a huge result for New Zealand.

In the ICC Review, Ponting said, “That's a huge result. One that I wasn't expecting, to be honest, more so, when you look at it with Kane Williamson not being there. When you think about his (Williamson’s) record in the subcontinent, the sort of the rock and the leader that he's been for that team.”

Most of the Indian batters completely struggled against the New Zealand spinners in the recent home Test series. 

Talking about Indian batters’ poor performances against spin, Ponting said,  “I think the one thing it does probably say is it’s really starting to highlight India's vulnerability against good quality spin bowling. It seems as though the skill of the modern Indian batsmen of playing spin is probably not what it used to be.”

Ponting also believed that modern-day Indian batters’ preparation to face high-quality pacers can be a big reason for Indian batters' downgraded performances against quality spinners. 

On the other hand, former Indian captain Virat Kohli’s recent Test cricket form is disappointing. Since 2020, Kohli has hit two centuries and nine half-centuries in 60 Test innings. The right-handed batter has scored 1838 Test runs in this period with an average of 31.68, which is not good enough according to Kohli’s batting quality level. 

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I wouldn't be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game: Ponting

While Ponting can’t believe Kohli’s recent Test stats, he strongly feels that the upcoming Test series in Australia is a good opportunity for the former Indian captain to show his incredible batting caliber. 

Ponting said, “I've said it before about Virat, you don't ever question the greats of the game. There's no doubt, he's a great of the game.

“He loves playing against Australia. In fact, I know he loves playing against Australia. And as I said, his record (in Australia) is very good. If there's a time for him to turn it around, it'd be this series. So I wouldn't be surprised to see Virat make runs in the first game.”

Virat Kohli is the second-leading run-scorer for India in Test cricket in Australia. The right-handed batter has scored 1352 Test runs in Australia with an average of 54.08, including six centuries and four half-centuries. 

While after Sachin Tendulkar (13), Kohli (10) is the second Indian batter to record at least ten 50+ scores in the Test format in Australia, Kohli (6 centuries) is one century away from breaking Sachin’s record for most Test centuries by an Indian in Australia.