Ricky Ponting Says England Will Have To Be At Their Best To Get Virat Kohli Out

Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting opened up about the upcoming ICC World Cup 2023 match between India and England. He believes that defending champions will have to be at their absolute best to get Virat Kohli out, who is setting the stage on fire. 

Ricky Ponting touted Virat Kohli as a match-winner and said that he’s sure that the Indian batter will continue to score runs in the ICC World Cup 2023. The former Australian cricketer also was baffled by the way England has played in the tournament so far. 

Ricky Ponting said that they are the worst team in the tournament and if they don’t turn things around in the game match against India, the World Cup will be gone for them. Speaking in a video posted by the ICC, he explained: 

“I got asked one week ago, just give me one word to describe him and the first thing on my mind was the winner. He’s a winner. Every time he plays, it’s not about how many runs he gets, it’s about him being there, winning the game for his team. I’m sure he’ll continue to score runs in this World Cup and England will know that they’ll have to be at their absolute best to knock him over.” 

“To be honest, if you looked down the list of all the teams in the World Cup, you could put up an argument that they have been the worst team in the tournament. I actually picked them as being a team that would make the final. They need to turn around pretty quickly or their World Cup is done.” 

Virat Kohli has been at his absolute best in the ICC World Cup 2023. He’s amongst the top five run-getters in the tournament. The batter has been blazing guns in the event and has 354 runs from 5 innings to go with three half-centuries and one century. 

England on the other hand is having a torrid run in the ICC World Cup 2023. They have managed just one win from the 5 games and are reeling at the bottom of the points table. The Jos Buttler-led side are just one loss away from getting eliminated from the tournament and they would be hoping to turn things around against India. 

IND vs ENG: I would be tempted to give Wood a new ball against Indian top order – Ricky Ponting 

Ricky Ponting suggested that England should try using Mark Wood with a new ball against the Indian top order. He believes that the fast bowler can do a lot of damage. He explained: 

“Someone’s gonna find a way to get Rohit Sharma. They need to find a way to get Kohli early and try to get some impact on with the newest ball. I would be tempted to give Wood a new ball and try and run fast and do some damage with the new ball. I think that’s probably their best chance in their game. I would single out Wood against all of India’s top order and he’s gonna be the man who will do damage.” 

The game between India and England will be played in Lucknow on Sunday (29th October).