Cricket has witnessed some of the finest players in its rich history, leading to endless debates about the Greatest of All Time (GOAT). Legends like Don Bradman, Sachin Tendulkar, Muttiah Muralitharan, and Virat Kohli have all been part of this discussion. While some argue that Bradman’s staggering batting average makes him the GOAT, others believe that Tendulkar’s longevity and record-breaking feats place him at the pinnacle. Similarly, all-rounders like Sir Garfield Sobers and Kapil Dev have been celebrated for their match-winning abilities.
Ricky Ponting reveals his choice of the GOAT cricketer
Amidst this ongoing debate, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting has made his choice clear. Speaking on the Howie Games Podcast, Ponting named former South African all-rounder Jacques Kallis as the greatest cricketer to have ever played the game.
“Jacques Kallis is the best cricketer who has ever played. I don’t care… I don’t care about everybody else. Jacques Kallis is the full stop for me. 13,000 runs – 44 or 45 Test centuries… and 300 wickets. He has had an amazing career. You can take 300 Test wickets, and you can score 45 Test centuries but to do both feats at the same time is amazing. Jacques has done both,” said Ponting at the Howiegamespod.
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Ponting explains why his pick is quite underrated
Despite Kallis’ staggering records, Ponting believes that the South African legend remains one of the most underrated cricketers of all time. He attributed this to Kallis’ low-profile personality and limited media interactions.
“I think he was a born cricketer… unorthodox in the slips, he wouldn’t drop catches in the slips. Kind of an odd technique. I think he is the most underrated because not much is spoken about him. Maybe because of his personality and his character… yes, he hasn’t done much for the media. So, he is one of those guys who has been a bit forgotten,” added Ponting.