Ricky Ponting has weighed in on the age-old debate: Who is the greatest ODI batter of all time? For the legendary Australian, there’s no question. Despite playing alongside and against some of the most iconic names in cricket, Ponting believes no one has been better in the 50-over format than India’s Virat Kohli.
Kohli’s Century Against Pakistan Seals the Debate
Kohli’s latest masterclass against Pakistan in the Champions Trophy 2025 has reignited discussions about his place in cricket history. The 36-year-old struck his record-extending 51st ODI century, guiding India to a successful chase of 242 in Dubai. His knock wasn’t just about personal milestones—it was a statement of dominance on one of the sport’s biggest stages.
During that innings, Kohli also became the fastest to 14,000 ODI runs, a feat only previously achieved by Sachin Tendulkar and Kumar Sangakkara. Ponting, a two-time World Cup-winning captain, couldn’t hold back his admiration.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen a better 50-over player than Virat Kohli,” Ponting told ICC Review. “Now that he’s gone past me (on the all-time run list) and only two batters are ahead of him, I’m sure he’d want to be remembered as the all-time leading run-scorer in ODIs.”
Kohli’s Fitness and Longevity Keep Him in the Hunt
Kohli’s work ethic has been a talking point for years. Even at 36, his fitness levels remain elite. His commitment to conditioning and preparation allows him to perform consistently at the highest level. That’s one of the key reasons Ponting believes Kohli remains a threat to Tendulkar’s all-time record.
“Physically, he’s as fit as he’s ever been and works exceptionally hard on that side of his game,” Ponting noted. “It’s crazy when you think about it—just how good Virat’s been over such a long period. Yet, he’s still 4,000 runs behind Sachin.”
Kohli’s current tally stands at 14,085 runs. Tendulkar, the all-time record holder, finished his career with 18,426 runs. The gap is significant, but Ponting isn’t ruling out the possibility of Kohli overtaking the Indian legend.
Time Is Not on Kohli’s Side
While Kohli’s brilliance is undeniable, the question remains: Does he have enough years left in international cricket to surpass Tendulkar? At 36, he is in the latter stages of his career, and ODIs are becoming a less frequent fixture in cricket schedules.
- Kohli has averaged 57 in ODIs, significantly higher than Tendulkar’s career average of 44.
- He has 51 centuries in just over 280 matches, while Tendulkar needed 463 games for his 49 centuries.
- However, Tendulkar played for 24 years, whereas Kohli has been at the top for about 16.
Ponting acknowledged that Kohli’s challenge is as much about longevity as it is about skill. “It just goes to show how good Sachin was, but also his longevity. But with someone like Virat, you never write him off. If the hunger’s still there, then I’m never going to write him off (to overtake Tendulkar).”
The Pakistan Factor: Kohli’s Best Performances Often Come Against the Arch-Rivals
Kohli’s latest century was yet another addition to his impressive track record against Pakistan. Over the years, he has built a reputation for delivering when the stakes are high. His famous knock in the 2022 T20 World Cup, where he single-handedly orchestrated India’s win at the MCG, remains one of his most celebrated performances.
Ponting highlighted Kohli’s mental strength in these high-pressure games. “Yeah, 2022 (T20 WC) and now, he stood up against the team that he would probably steel himself the most to play against. When Pakistan batted first on a tricky wicket, it needed someone at the top of the order to play a match-winning innings like that.”
And Kohli did just that. Again.
Can Kohli Surpass Tendulkar? The Numbers Say It’s Tough but Possible
The question of whether Kohli can break Tendulkar’s ODI record boils down to mathematics. Let’s look at the numbers:
| Player | ODI Runs | Matches Played | Centuries |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sachin Tendulkar | 18,426 | 463 | 49 |
| Virat Kohli | 14,085 | 289 | 51 |
Kohli would need to score over 4,341 more runs to surpass Tendulkar. If he plays around 50 more ODIs and maintains his career average of 57, he would accumulate roughly 2,850 runs. That would still leave him about 1,500 runs short.
Realistically, Kohli needs to play at least 80-100 more ODIs, a tough ask given India’s shifting priorities toward T20 cricket. But Ponting’s confidence in Kohli remains unwavering.
“He’s been a champion player for a long, long time,” Ponting said. “And particularly in the white-ball formats, where he’s been an unbelievably good 50-over player.”
One thing is certain: Kohli’s legacy in ODI cricket is already set in stone. Whether he overtakes Tendulkar or not, he’s left an indelible mark on the sport.
