Ricky Ponting urges Virat Kohli to keep short term goals ahead of ODI World Cup 2027

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting said India’s veteran batter Virat Kohli can not coast to ODI World Cup 2027 and he needs to keep achieving his short term goals. Kohli returned to International cricket after a long hiatus but he was dismissed for a blob against Australia at the Optus Stadium, Perth on Sunday.

The right-hander has all the experience under his belt and he would look to make the most of it. Kohli has aggregated 14,181 runs in 303 ODI games at a stunning average of 57.65 and he has done a magnificent job in his glorious career. The right-hander needs another 53 runs to leapfrog Kumar Sangakkara’s tally of runs and become the second-highest run-getter in ODIs.

Ponting said Kohli must have the hunger to keep going at the top level.

“The one thing I don’t like hearing from anyone is that ‘I’ve achieved everything in the game’ because I think you still have to have some really short-term goals and not just be hanging on to try and get through to the 2027 World Cup,” Ricky Ponting said on ICC Review ahead of the second ODI between India and Australia.

The two-time World Cup winning captain said Virat and Rohit would want to keep achieving short term goals ahead of the next ODI showpiece.

“Virat’s always been a highly motivated person. And I’d like to think that he’s probably sat down and even just given himself some goals and things that he can achieve in this series here in Australia and not be just waiting and killing time for that next World Cup to come around. What we know with both of those guys, at their absolute best, yes, of course they’re in India’s best team. But can they find their best between now and when that World Cup rocks around?” he added.

On the other hand, Ponting also showered praise on Shubman Gill’s captaincy after India drew the Anderson-Tendulkar series by 2-2 while playing away. This was Gill’s maiden Test assignment as a leader and he amassed 754 runs in five Test matches.

“I actually love what he did with that team in the UK against a really good English team. In certain moments, there were times when he was probably a little out of character. He did what he had to do to put his stamp on his team and really stand up for his team. That has not always been his way, he is normally pretty calm, and got a cool demeanor on the field. That real fighting sort of bulldog came out of him when his team needed him the most,” Ponting said.

The second ODI between India and Australia will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday.