“Waiting And Killing Time”: Ricky Ponting Questions Virat Kohli’s Approach At Perth

Ricky Ponting criticised Virat Kohli’s attitude after his duck in Perth, urging the India star to set short-term goals and regain his rhythm ahead of the 2027 World Cup.

Virat Kohli’s return to international cricket was like a firecracker that never went off. The former India captain looked rusty after being away from top-level competition and was dismissed for a duck by Mitchell Starc in Perth. Although he didn’t edge behind, Kohli slashed a wide delivery straight to point, walking back after just eight balls.

This series is likely to be Kohli’s last tour of Australia. As per the current FTP, India doesn’t have another tour scheduled Down Under before 2027, the year of the next ODI World Cup. Kohli, who has a strong record in Australia, will want to leave a mark before the curtain closes on his career there.

In an interview with Fox ahead of the first ODI in Perth, Kohli had spoken about how refreshed he felt after a long break. However, his eight-ball duck didn’t reflect that freshness. Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting, speaking to the ICC Review, said he wants to see Kohli’s hunger and motivation return, especially when debates continue around his place in India’s 2027 World Cup plans.

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Ponting’s message: “Don’t just wait for the next World Cup”

“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,” Ponting said on the ICC Review.

Ponting stressed that Kohli should not become complacent but focus on smaller, achievable milestones during the Australia series. He added, “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.”

The Indian team has now reached Adelaide for the second ODI, a venue where both Kohli and Rohit Sharma have enjoyed great success. Like Kohli, Rohit’s ODI future has also become a talking point. While the next World Cup is still two years away, Ponting reminded fans that it would be unwise to write off either of the two senior players.

“Finding your rhythm and tempo is the biggest thing. When you’ve had a break, just getting back used to the rhythm and the tempo of the 50-over game again, it takes a little bit of time for anybody. I’d expect to see both those guys bounce back into it pretty quickly. As I said, Adelaide is a great place to bat and a great place to play cricket. But it won’t be easy for the fact that they are facing some of the best white-ball bowlers that have ever played the game. So, the challenge is definitely there,” added Ponting.

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He concluded with words of support for Kohli and Rohit, reminding that class never fades. “But I say it all the time, you don’t write off champion players ever. And these two guys have been two of the best, and while I’m on record saying I think Virat’s the best 50-over player I’ve ever seen, you don’t write them off. They’ll find a way to contribute and win games for their team, and if they do that, then they’ll most likely be in that World Cup team in 2027.”