'You Never Write Him Off': Ricky Ponting Throws Quirky Challenge At Virat Kohli With Jaw-Dropping Sachin Tendulkar Comparison

ICC Champions Trophy 2025: India's superstar batter Virat Kohli delivered a stellar performance in the high-voltage clash between India and Pakistan in the ongoing Champions Trophy 2025. The 36-year-old smashed an unbeaten century which helped the 'Men in Blue' thrash arch-rivals Pakistan by six wickets at Dubai International Cricket Stadium on February 23, 2025. The Pakistani bowlers tried to make a comeback in the game but former India captain Virat Kohli, alongside Shreyas Iyer and Shubman Gill made it impossible for the host nation to seal the game and keep their title defence alive

The star Indian batter scored a historic ton and he became just the third batsman to cross the 14000-run mark in the ODIs. Kohli toppled Ponting to secure the third place in the list, with just Kumar Sangakkara and Sachin Tendulkar ahead of him. Kohli is now 149-run away from the second spot, and 4341 behind the master blaster, who stands at the top.

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Ricky Ponting Shares Insights On Kohli Breaking Sachin Tendulkar's Record  

While speaking on the ICC Review Podcast, Ponting backed Kohli to break Tendulkar's milestone in 50-over cricket, saying that one cannot write the right-handed batter off. The former Aussie skipper added that Kohli will give himself the best chance to achieve the elusive record of becoming the leading run-scorer in ODIs.

"With someone like Virat, you never write him off, because I'm sure he'd be motivated by that [achieving the record], I think. Now that he's gone past me and only two ahead of him, I'm sure he wants to give himself the best chance to be remembered as the all-time leading run scorer in the game," Ponting was quoted by ESPNcricinfo

The 50-year-old predicted that Kohli will break Sangakkara's record by the next game, however, he added that the Indian batter will need few more matches to dethrone Sachin from the top spot in ODIs

"So, as long as the hunger's there, obviously, physically wise, he's probably as fit as he's ever been and works exceptionally hard on that side of his game. So, if the hunger's still there, then I'm never going to write him off. I know he's nice and close to Sangakkara now. I don't think it's going to be long, maybe the next game before he goes past Sangakkara. But still, a little way to go to catch Sachin," he added.

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India's Dominant Run So Far In Champions Trophy 2025

With two wins, the Rohit Sharma-led side have already qualified for the semi-final of the ongoing 15-match tournament, they will either face South Africa or Australia in the knockout stage of the Champions Trophy 2025. After thrashing Bangladesh and Pakistan by massive victories, the 'Men in Blue' are in their top form and will now lock horns against New Zealand on March 2, 2025 at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium.

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