Australia's former fast bowler Andy Bichel has praised Virat Kohli, calling him the second Ricky Ponting of world cricket. In a conversation with the Times of India, Bichel said that Kohli's game, aggression, and leadership style remind him of Ponting. He called Kohli "a true cricket legend of this era."
Australia's former fast bowler Andy Bichel has highly praised Virat Kohli's batting. He said that Kohli's passion, shot selection, and on-field energy remind him of former Australian captain Ricky Ponting. In a conversation with the Times of India, Bichel stated, “Virat Kohli is a true legend of this game. He plays exactly like Ricky Ponting used to play — full of confidence, class, and leadership.”
He further added that Kohli is not only an inspiration for his team but also a role model for youngsters worldwide. According to Bichel, Virat is one of those few players who can single-handedly change the course of a match.
Virat Kohli is a Great Player
India's star batsman Virat Kohli is considered one of the greatest players in cricket history. Last year, he surprised everyone by retiring from T20 International cricket. Kohli was the Player of the Match in the 2024 T20 World Cup and is one of only two Indians to score over 4000 runs in this format. This May, he also bid farewell to Test cricket, where he scored 9230 runs in 123 matches at an average of 46.85, including 30 centuries and 31 half-centuries.
Kohli's Fitness and Passion Raise Hopes
Former Australian fast bowler Andy Bichel believes that Virat Kohli's fitness and form are still world-class. He stated that Kohli is still as energetic and dedicated as he was in his early days. Bichel acknowledged that after retiring from Test cricket, Kohli has had the opportunity to focus more on limited-overs formats.
Bichel also stated that Kohli's consistency and ability to score runs will help him stay in the ODI format for a long time. According to him, if Kohli continues to perform this way, he could be part of Team India until the 2027 World Cup.
Aiming for a Second Consecutive IPL Title
Andy Bichel further added that Kohli's commitment to the IPL is also a major reason for his motivation. He recalled that Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) won the title last year, and now Kohli is eyeing a consecutive championship.
The former Australian player believes that this is the time for Kohli to make the best use of his experience and leadership. If he maintains this rhythm in both the IPL and ODIs, his presence in the 2027 World Cup will prove invaluable for Indian cricket.
