Former Australia captain Ricky Ponting hailed Virat Kohli for revolutionising Test cricket in India. He pointed out Kohli’s start of Test captaincy playing a huge role in the turnaround of the game in the country. India flourished under the captaincy of Kohli, which began in 2014 end and went on until the start of 2022. He instilled that fierce brand of cricket within the team and made everyone believe that the Indian team can win overseas as well. It was under Kohli’s captaincy that India became the first Asian team to win a Test series on Australian soil.

“Their fast-bowling depth is great. The leadership in the last 6-7 years has been strong. Going back to Kohli’s start of captaincy, played a big role in turning the cricket around and Dravid has continued the same in the recent four years. The influence of someone like that [Kohli] around a team would be great and they’ve got star players,” Ponting told Sky Sports.

Kohli’s Test captaincy tenure

In Kohli’s tenure, India won 40 matches and lost 17, with 11 ending in draws out of the 68 Tests they played. His home and away record made him one of India’s most successful captain in red-ball cricket. However, this time Kohli will tour Australia as a player with Rohit Sharma being the captain.

During the last series in 2020-21, Kohli left the series midway after the 1st Test due to the birth of his daughter Vamika. India, under the captaincy of Ajinkya Rahane, battled injuries and the absence of key players to register yet another historic 2–1 series win.

“Indians don’t fear the big stage any more”

Ponting recalled India’s memorable win at the Gabba, which was the first time in 32 years when a visiting team breached the Australian fortress in Tests. He pointed out the change in mindset and the fearless approach of the Indian team.

“They won a game at the Gabba, which just doesn’t happen. I think their batters adapt to overseas batting conditions very well. I don’t think they’re as daunted by the Gabba or the Optus Oval, as they maybe once were. Maybe it is a selection thing, or they just don’t fear the big stage anymore,” he said.

Ponting also said that IPL played a huge role in making the Indian players ready for the big stage.

“For the last 10 years being around the IPL, I’ve noticed that a lot of the young guys [don’t fear the big stage anymore] as the IPL is high-pressure, it is like a World Cup for them. Their batsmen are all very aggressive stroke-making players. They are not scared of failing,” he added.