Virat Kohli Is 'The Absolute Best' - Ricky Ponting Praises Star India Batter After Record Equalling 49th ODI Hundred

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Australia great Ricky Ponting praised Virat Kohli, calling him 'the absolute best' after star India batter equalled legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar's record of 49 ODI hundreds during ICC World Cup 2023 match against South Africa in Kolkata on Sunday (November 5).

On his 35th birthday, Kohli smashed his 49th ODI century, the second in the ongoing tournament, in which he has amassed a total of 543 runs at an average of 108.60 so far.

Kohli reached the milestone in 119 balls with the unbeaten knock of 101, including 10 fours at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata. In December 2009, he had scored his first ODI century against Sri Lanka at the same venue.

Kohli, who started the tournament with 47 tons, has also got scores of 95, 88 and 85 apart from the two centuries. And the former Australia captain believes the talismanic Indian star would now play with greater freedom that he has equalled Tendulkar.

"That might be the monkey off his back now. I think he has been working extra hard to equal Sachin's record. That's done now and it has happened at a really good time at the tournament for him.

"One more game to go and then they head into the semi-finals. It was an almost perfect day for Virat and a great day for India," Ponting said of Kohli's innings as quoted by ICC.

Kohli's century against South Africa was his fourth in all 50-over World Cups, and it further adds to his case as one of the best players of all time. However, Ponting believes the 'chase master' has held that title for some time.

"There is no doubt he is the absolute best and I have said that for a long time. He didn't need to equal Sachin's record, he doesn't need to break the record. If you look at his overall batting record it is incredible. To think that he got 49 ODI hundreds and equalled Sachin and in 175 fewer innings is unbelievable," Ponting added.

Kohli's stunning ton and Shreyas Iyer's explosive fifty complemented an attacking start from Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill to help India finish 326/5. While batting display has been brilliant, it's the bowling unit that has played a key role in India's unbeaten run so far.

The Indian pacers did the same in South Africa's run chase as thet struck quickly with the new ball, dismissing the top-order inside the first Powerplay. Then, Ravindra Jadeja (5/33) took quick wickets to bundle the Prorteas out for just 83.

India now have three players among the top 10 wicket-takers of the tournament - Mohammad Shami (16), Jasprit Bumrah (15) and Ravindra Jadeja (14) - and Ponting believes opposition teams have their work ahead trying to quell the powerful bowling group.

"What we have seen in this World Cup so far, is that India's bowling attack has clearly been the best," Ponting said praising the bowling unit, which has bowled out six of the eight opponents so far.

"Opposition teams are going to have to put a lot of analysis into how they play Bumrah, how they are going to play (Mohammed) Siraj, as they need to get on top of these guys early. Because if they don't, their spinners will come and get you in the middle of the game."

With the 243-run, India remained unbeaten in 8 matches and will next face Netherlands in their final league match at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bengaluru on Sunday (November 12).