Former Aussie skipper, Ricky Ponting is never shy of voicing his views, even if that means a backlash. The latest comment tough may stir up a controversy. Sachin Tendulkar is considered by many as a demi-god in a cricket-fanatic nation like India.
Pontings latest comment on Sachin is almost blasphemy considering his unmatchable record. It is like when John Lennon was asked if Ringo Starr was the best drummer in the world, he replied: “He’s not even the best drummer in the Beatles”.
In an interview Ponting told Gulf News, “Is he (Kohli) the best batsman in the world? Yeah, he probably is, I thought he was six or seven months ago and he’s probably taken it to another level since then.”
Adding further he said, “Is it too premature to call him the best ever? You can probably say that right now as far as his one-day cricket is concerned. His one-day record is outstanding and probably better than anybody that’s ever played the game given how many hundreds he’s made.”
Ponting also elaborated that, “He’ll (Virat) continue to improve, especially now that he’s the captain as well and his team’s winning.”
Kohli’s record in ODI’s may be fiesty in the blue colour but still has a long way to go before being compared to the Kallises, Laras and the Tendulkars of the world, reckons Punter.
Yet, Ponting speaking on the secret to Sachin’s success cited his ‘longetivity’.
Tendulkar has played 463 One Day Internationals amassing 18, 426 runs at an emphatic average of 44.83, studded with 49 tons and in the whites he has played 200 Tests, scoring 15,921 runs at an enviable average of 53.78, with 51 centuries.
God, may be no, demi-god for sure!
