Virat Kohli played a big role in turning Test Cricket around in India: Ricky Ponting

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Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting has praised Virat Kohli for transforming Indian Test cricket, acknowledging his pivotal role in turning the team into a dominant force on the global stage. Ponting highlighted how Kohli's leadership brought a dramatic shift in both mindset and performance after he took over the captaincy from MS Dhoni.

Kohli became India's Test captain at the end of 2014 during the series against Australia, following Dhoni's unexpected resignation from the role. Taking over at a crucial moment, Kohli led the team from the front and held the position until early 2022.

Under Dhoni, India had struggled in overseas conditions, losing series in England, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia between 2011 and 2014. While there were moments of brilliance, the team often faltered, and Dhoni's cautious approach was sometimes blamed for the lack of results abroad.

Kohli's appointment marked a clear shift in India's strategy and mentality. He instilled belief in his teammates, particularly in their ability to win in foreign conditions.

Following competitive performances in South Africa and England, and a dominant record in the home series, India achieved a historic milestone under Kohli-becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia.

Kohli's influence extended to nurturing India's fast-bowling unit, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Mohammed Siraj emerging as match-winners during his tenure.

Ponting, while speaking to Sky Sports, underscored Kohli's impact: "Their fast-bowling depth is great. The leadership in the last 6-7 years has been strong. Going back to Kohli's start of captaincy, he played a big role in turning the cricket around. The influence of someone like that around a team would be great, and they've got star players."

Virat Kohli Stats As Test Captain

Kohli's record as a Test captain remains impressive. Under his leadership, India played 60 matches, winning 40 and losing just 17, with 11 games ending in draws. He remains India's most successful Test captain to date, known for fostering a team built on aggression, confidence, and the desire to win in all conditions.

As a batter, Kohli surpassed Ponting to become the second batter after Sachin Tendulkar to most centuries in international cricket. Ponting - who played 560 international games for Australia - slammed 71 tons. Kohli surpassed the legendary Aussie and has 80 centuries, and counting across all formats in international cricket.

As India prepares for the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Kohli will return to Australia as a player under Rohit Sharma's captaincy. Kohli missed the majority of the 2020-21 series in Australia, leaving after the first Test in Adelaide for the birth of his daughter, Vamika.

Despite Kohli's absence, India - led by Ajinkya Rahane - pulled off one of their most historic victories, winning the series 2-1. This included a memorable win at the Gabba, where they breached Australia's fortress for the first time in 32 years.

Reflecting on India's achievements, Ponting remarked, "They won a game at the Gabba, which just doesn't happen. Their batters adapt to overseas conditions very well. I don't think they're as daunted by places like the Gabba or Optus Oval as they once were."

Ponting also attributed India's fearlessness on the big stage to the impact of the Indian Premier League (IPL). The former Australian skipper, who has worked closely with several IPL franchises, noted how the high-pressure environment of the IPL has helped Indian players develop a mindset suited for international success.

"For the last 10 years being around the IPL, I've noticed that a lot of the young guys don't fear the big stage anymore. The IPL is like a World Cup for them. Their batsmen are all aggressive stroke-makers and are not scared of failing," Ponting added.