'Wanted to take all the bullets': Ricky Ponting recalls Ravi Shastri's words on Virat Kohli

NEW DELHI: Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting highlighted that Virat Kohli's popularity in Australia stems from his passionate and aggressive approach to cricket, particularly in Test matches.
Following a challenging home season against Bangladesh and New Zealand, with modest Test performances including only two centuries, Virat faces his fifth and potentially most challenging Australian tour. Despite concerns about his form and Test career, his prominence in Australia remains undiminished, with local media featuring him prominently through posters and slogans that reflect his significant status.
In the latest episode of The ICC Review, the Australian cricket legend praised the former Indian captain before the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.

"Kohli is a star," Ponting said as quoted by ICC.
"He is a superstar, has been a superstar of the game for so long. He is passionate about the way that he plays. He is passionate about his team. He wants to win and he plays with his heart on his sleeve," he added.

According to Ponting, Kohli's appeal extends beyond his cricket abilities to his competitive spirit on the field. Australian supporters appreciate this emotional and aggressive style as it corresponds with their sporting values.
The Australian great emphasises that such recognition from Australian supporters is earned through performance.
"That is what superstar players generate and create all around the world. And there is lots of different degrees of that," he explains.
Kohli's Test performance in Australia is remarkable, accumulating 1352 runs in 25 innings at 54.08 with six centuries. He led India to a historic victory in 2018/19, achieving the first Test series win by an Asian team in Australia.
"You talk about the media here and the following that Virat has in Australia. That is on the back of having been here and played well in the past," said Ponting.
Ponting acknowledges that international cricket stars face varying pressures across different nations and cultures.
Discussing different player receptions, Ponting notes: "You think about other players like when Steve Smith goes to the UK (United Kingdom) and gets booed when he walks onto the ground. I mean, that's all part of, I guess, the theatre that comes with international sports."

Ponting commends Kohli's leadership qualities and his willingness to take responsibility for his team in challenging situations.
"I had a look at what Ravi (Shastri, the former head coach of India with Kohli as captain) had to say about being the man that wanted to take all the bullets in Australia last time," Ponting recalled, referencing Kohli's previous Australian tours. "And that is what you expect from your leaders and your star players," he added.
"When you travel abroad, and you know that the country's against you, and you know the home media's against you, you need to have your senior players stand up and be the protectors, if you like, of the younger players in that side," Ponting added.
This position and ability to guide fellow players is vital in cricket, where mental strength equals physical skill.
Ponting emphasised that other senior players like Rohit Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah would share leadership responsibilities in Australia.
"So I have got no doubt that's the way Virat will approach this tour, Rohit Sharma will approach this tour, Bumrah will approach this tour. The senior guys really need to stand up and lead the way," Ponting concluded.
Virat's 2016-2019 performance ranks among Test cricket's finest, with 4,208 runs in 43 Tests at 66.79, including 16 centuries and 10 fifties. During this time, he achieved seven double centuries, maintaining the record for most by a Test captain.

Current circumstances differ significantly. In 2023, across 19 international matches, Virat has managed 488 runs at 20.33, with only two half-centuries in 25 innings, peaking at 76.
Since 2020, his Test performance has declined, scoring 1838 runs in 34 matches at 31.68, with two centuries and nine fifties.
This year's home Test season against Bangladesh and New Zealand proved challenging, yielding 192 runs in 10 innings at 21.33 with one fifty. Notably, Kohli has dropped out of the top-20 ICC Men's Test Batting Rankings for the first time in a decade.
The Australian tour might reinvigorate Virat, given his historical success there. In 13 Tests in Australia, he has scored 1,352 runs at 54.08, with six centuries and four fifties, highest being 169.
Across formats in Australia, Virat has accumulated 3,426 runs at 56.16, with 11 centuries and 19 fifties in 70 innings, maintaining 169 as his best score.

The Border-Gavaskar Trophy begins on November 22 at Perth, followed by a day-night Test at Adelaide Oval from December 6-10.
The series continues at The Gabba, Brisbane (December 14-18), followed by the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (December 26-30).
The final Test at Sydney Cricket Ground (January 3-7) concludes this significant series.