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After the ICC Champions Trophy 2025 triumph, Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli have made it clear that they are not going anywhere. While Rohit wants to focus on the immediate future, Kohli aims to play in the ODI World Cup 2007. However, the big test that awaits them after the Indian Premier League (IPL) is the five-Test series on England soil. Punjab Kings head coach and former Australia captain Ricky Ponting was asked about their future. While Ponting said that the red-ball cricket has become harder for the senior duo, he does not want to write them off.
“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,” Ponting told The Indian Express during Idea Exchange. “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. 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 reveals pep talk with Dravid
Ponting recalled the conversation he had with Rahul Dravid aka 'The Wall' after he had a underwhelming run on Australia tour in the twilight stage of his career. He also revealed that Dravid repaid the favour with a heartfelt message when Ponting was struggling.
“We could all see he was battling, and there was a lot of media talk, and it was all wearing him down. Rahul and I have always got along really well. We were fierce competitors, both No.3 batters for our countries for a long time. For players like that, the class and quality doesn’t leave. It sometimes gets buried under a lot of other stuff, and certain people can’t find their way out of those holes. I just had a chat with him and said, ‘Look, forget about all the external stuff, believe in yourself, and go back to the things that have made you a good player. If you focus on that and not worry about the little things, I am sure you can finish off your career on a strong note.’ That’s all I said. He went away and did that and guess what? When I was at the end of my career, I got the same message back from him. He was the first on the phone and made me aware of the things I had to say to him,” the 50-year-old said.
Asked if he would give a similar pep talk to the senior Indian duo during the IPL 2025, he had a cheeky response.
“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,” he added.
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