The grand stage is ready for an electrifying Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, and all eyes are on two of cricket’s most iconic batters, Virat Kohli and Steve Smith. Because the motion is ready to kick off in Perth on November 22, the strain is mounting on each batting giants, who’ve been going via a lean patch.
Virat Kohli has been utterly out of monitor this 12 months in whites, averaging simply 22.72 in his six Exams in 2024. His disappointing efficiency in India’s surprising whitewash by the hands of New Zealand at residence has left followers and pundits questioning if his time on the prime is slipping away.
Ricky Ponting backs Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to show doubters unsuitable within the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25
On the opposite aspect, Steve Smith can also be hoping to silence the critics together with his efficiency within the upcoming five-match Check sequence in opposition to India after going through turmoil previously 12 months. The 35-year-old has returned to his acquainted spot at No. 4 within the lineup after a forgettable stint as an opener.
Along with his place again within the center order, Steve Smith is set to cement his status as one of many sport’s most interesting batsmen, whereas Virat Kohli additionally has an important file on Australian soil and would love to increase his dominance in Australia once more within the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25.
It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see the mindset of Kohli and Smith: Ricky Ponting
Forward of the Perth Check, former Australia captain Ricky Ponting mentioned that there’s loads of time for each Virat Kohli and Steve Smith to rediscover their type and make their mark on the historic Check sequence. Ricky Ponting believes each Kohli and Smith are greater than able to turning their fortunes round and restoring their dominance in Check cricket.
Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by the Sydney Morning Herald: “Smith and Kohli have sufficient good individuals round them to get issues again on monitor fairly shortly. It’s going to be attention-grabbing to see the mindset of Kohli and Smith this summer time. I nonetheless suppose they have loads of time to seek out their finest.
“It is likely to be Smudge’s time truly, after that experiment up the highest. He is again down in his extra snug spot at No. 4, which I used to be on file saying I do not suppose he ought to have moved; it ought to have been an opener who performed at that stage.”
Ricky Ponting says Kohli and Smith are each bit as gifted as Joe Root
The legendary batter Ricky Ponting additionally cited the instance of England’s Joe Root, who has discovered a resurgence late in his profession to say that each Steve Smith and Virat Kohli have the potential to stun the cricket world but once more.
Ponting signed off by saying, “Joe Root is a superb instance of somebody of comparable age who has discovered a means in direction of the again finish of his profession to play higher than he did for the entrance finish of his profession. These two guys are each bit as gifted as Root and, earlier than the final couple of years, had higher data. So, it is all there for them. Kohli’s performed effectively right here previously, and he can flip the desk this time additionally.”