Ricky Ponting has always been appreciative of India’s former captain and an untenable run-machine, Virat Kohli. An admirer of Virat’s craft, the erstwhile Australian skipper once again made a huge remark ahead of India’s opener on Sunday in the T20 World Cup.

Virat got off to a fine start against Australia in their warm-up match on Monday but couldn’t sustain his momentum and eventually departed for 19. However, prior to that, he played a significant role in aiding India tame South Africa and Australia back home. Ever since his return from the one-month-long break in the Asia Cup, he has been back to his vintage self and the knocks that he has managed to stitch together continue to grow larger in stature.

During Kohli’s innings in the warm-up match against Australia, Punter was present in the commentary box and he hailed Virat as one of the greatest ever white-ball cricketers. His exact words were, “Not sure, I’ve seen a better white-ball cricketer ever.”

He further added, “He has led his team really well. The win in Australia in the Test series in Australia is amazing. Not sure I’ve seen a better white-ball cricketer ever. What he does in One-Day International cricket is unbelievable. His records are amazing.”

Not only did Kohli impress with the bat in his hand during his short stay at the creases, but he also pulled off a couple of exquisite fielding efforts where he defied gravity to pluck a one-hand stunner from mid-air while also affecting a stunning run-out with a clinically precise direct hit that forced Sunil Gavaskar to say, “He is worth in the team for his fielding alone.”