Ricky Ponting goes Unfiltered Pro Max on Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma dragging their careers

Ricky Ponting, Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma. Image Credit: X

Australian cricket legend and Punjab Kings head coach Ricky Ponting heaped praise on Indian cricket superstars Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, who are in the twilight of their international careers. Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma are both currently playing in the ongoing IPL 2025.

While Kohli showed a glimpse of his brilliance for the Royal Challengers Bengaluru, Rohit Sharma has been struggling to deliver for the Mumbai Indians in the ongoing IPL 2025. However, the main focus is the upcoming five-match Test series in England in June and July.

Ricky Ponting says Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma will roar again

Kohli is confirmed to play in the high-profile Test series despite a poor Australia tour, but there is uncertainty over Rohit’s participation since he stepped down from the captaincy and asked Jasprit Bumrah to lead India in the fifth Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 against Australia. His poor fitness is also under the scanner.

And then Rohit’s poor form is another factor Indian selectors would take into account while selecting the squad for the much-anticipated England tour. Amid the chatter, Ricky Ponting said that it's simply impossible to count them out, no matter what the critics say.

The legendary Australian cricketer made it clear that legends like Virat and Rohit always bounce back. He also pointed out that whenever these stars face tough times, they dig deep and deliver when it matters most for India across the formats.

They’re champions for a reason: Ricky Ponting on Virat Kohli-Rohit Sharma

Ricky Ponting was quoted as saying by The Indian Express during Idea Exchange: “I have been on record about Virat to say, ‘You can’t write off quality players.’ They’re champions for a reason and always find a way to come good. At different times in the last couple of years, Virat has been able to do that when he is getting in a hole. He is a high-quality player, and maybe Rohit is a bit the same.

He also praised Virat Kohli’s brilliance in white-ball cricket, calling him the best he’s ever seen in the format. And as for Rohit, the Indian skipper isn’t backing down anytime soon, especially in the 50-over format, according to Ponting.

However, Ponting admitted that Test cricket is getting tougher for the senior Indian batters, but that doesn’t mean they’re done, backing them for the England tour.

Test cricket is becoming harder for Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, says Ricky Ponting

The PBKS head coach added, “Test cricket is the thing that is becoming harder for them right now. Rohit has made it clear he’s going nowhere in the 50-over game. Virat is the best white-ball player I have ever seen. I will never write those guys off.”

Ponting also recalled how he encouraged Rahul Dravid when he had faced a tough time on the Australia tour. The Aussie great had advised Dravid to just focus on himself and do what worked for him, and this helped him regain form and confidence.

However, the PBKS coach cheekily said that he would never send such messages to the RCB icon and MI legend. Ponting signed off by saying, “Whether or not I am going to send them the same message that I sent Rahul Dravid at the start of an IPL is a different question (smiles). But I love watching those guys play international cricket, and hopefully, they can play for years to come.”