Ricky Ponting has unveiled his all-time XI in a cricketing world where legends are cherished. Much like any of the past teams, this one does not include one of the greats of today: Virat Kohli. Although such a decision would certainly stir controversy, it also shows how cricket’s history is conceived and valued differently by many people.
Opening Batters
Ricky got as Australian as any opener pair could get by naming Langer and Hayden as his. These were the two players who epitomized Australia’s transcendence in aggressive, ruthless dominance in world cricket in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Their selection reflects a preference for openers who can set the tone for an innings, very much as Ponting’s teams did during his captaincy. The exclusion of Virat Kohli, who was known for opening or batting in the top order in the limited-overs format, seems to indicate a bias in favour of players who were pure openers in Test cricket.
Ricky Ponting picks Kallis at Number Three Position
This is a tribute to one of the greatest all-rounders of cricket: Jacques Kallis at number three. His bid to bat deep, score well, and bowl is now added to the balance of Ponting’s side. The fact that Ponting chose Kallis instead of Kohli might have something to do with all-round skills, a feature in which Kohli has failed to prove himself despite his tall stature as a batsman.
The Middle Order
Sachin Tendulkar at number four is almost a given in anyone’s all-time XI; it speaks in a thousand ways for his records. There is no other way to make him indispensable with his longevity, versatility across formats, and sheer numbers. Five is Brian Lara, bringing in flamboyance and ability to score breathtakingly fast-aspects complementing Tendulkar’s otherwise methodical approach. Again, absence of Virat Kohli, the modern middle-order king reigning with consistency and match-winning efforts, shows that maybe Ponting has preferred players of a different era or those who really have a very long Test match legacy.
The Captain and Keeper
The captain of this magnificent side, is Kumar Sangakkara at number six. He is the most complete cricketer probably today considering, the very end of his career, his captaincy skills, and combined batting and keeping techniques. Adam Gilchrist, in at seven, revolutionized the concept of a wicket-keeper-batsman by batting aggressively. Here again, he might be showing his inclination towards those men who have gone ahead to redefine their positions in the game: in this instance, Kohli, while brilliant, hasn’t done it in a similar revolutionary manner as Gilchrist.
Bowlers
The bowling lineup is packed with greats:
- Shane Warne: A master of leg-spin and a legend of the game.
- Wasim Akram: A swing bowling genius.
- Curtly Ambrose: Known for his height and economical spells.
- Glenn McGrath: Famous for his consistent accuracy.
These bowlers shaped cricket history. Ponting’s choice shows a focus on Test legends, where Kohli’s impact is notable but still developing compared to these icons.
Ricky Ponting excludes Kohli
Ponting’s XI reflects cricket’s golden era. It celebrates players who changed the game and made history. Kohli, though brilliant, is part of cricket’s ongoing story. His exclusion doesn’t question his greatness but highlights different perspectives on cricketing excellence.
Ponting’s list is a tribute to the legends of the past, offering fans a chance to reflect on cricket’s rich history.
