Ricky Ponting’s test team of the decade only features one Indian – Virat Kohli!

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Image Courtesy: Getty/AFP

Looking back at the year of 2019, the one single cricketer that has exceeded all expectations and competitions in test cricket is none other than Virat Kohli. The captain of Team India has retained his position in the ICC Test batting rankings as the world no. 1, and was earlier chosen as the captain of Cricket Australia’s Test team of the decade. Today, Aussie hall of fame Ricky Ponting has come up with his own team, and no surprise! Kohli is the captain there, and is the only Indian cricketer to make the list!

Image Courtesy: Getty/AFP

Last week, Cricket Australia had officially announced their Test team of the decade, choosing Kohli as the leader of the squad. Probably that is where the 2003 World Cup winner got his inspiration from.

Earlier today, Ponting took it to social media to list down his own version of the squad. On his official Twitter handle, the 45 year old said as everyone was listing out their own test XI of the last 10 years, he too, wanted to “join in the fun.”

Check out his tweet below-

As you can see, Kohli is the only Indian to enter the list, and that too as the leader. With a stunning battling average of 54.97, Kohli has scored  7202 runs in the format, since his debut against West Indies back in 2011.

Ponting, who played his last test match in 2012 against South Africa, has earned an astounding 366 caps in the format. He has scored 71 centuries in international cricket, one more than Kohli.

Ranked second in the ICC ranking and former Australia captain Steve Smith is also selected. Fifth ranked David Warner is the other Aussie batsman who made it to the 11.

New Zealand Skipper Kane Williamson, who is ranked 3rd in the ICC list, was also named. Ponting chose the Sri Lankan legend Kumar Sangakkara as the wicket keeper. Interestingly however, Ponting chose his compatriot Nathan Lyon, who is ranked 19th in the ICC Test bowlers list.

Alastair Cook, Ben Stokes, Stuart Broad and James Anderson are the four Englishmen who made it to Ponting’s list. Anderson is ranked 12th in ICC list, while Stokes is ranked as world no. 3 in the all rounders list.

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