Team India’s star batter Virat Kohli made a much-awaited return to international cricket in Perth during the first ODI of the three-match series against Australia. Before this match, the 36-year-old was last seen in action for the Men in Blue in the 2025 Champions Trophy in March.

However, it was a disappointing return to the big stage for Kohli, as he fell to left-arm seamer Mitchell Starc for an eight-ball duck. The former India captain will be looking to put up a much better effort in the remaining two one-dayers of the series.

The second ODI will be played at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday, October 23, while the series will conclude with the third and final ODI at the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground on October 25.

Kohli has featured in 303 ODIs so far. Ahead of the second India vs Australia one-dayer in Adelaide, we compare his batting stats with Aussie legend Ricky Ponting, who had also played the same number of matches.

## Virat Kohli vs Ricky Ponting: Runs and Batting Average After 303 ODIs

In 303 ODIs, Virat Kohli has amassed 14,181 runs at an impressive average of 57.64 and a strike rate of 93.29. Among these runs, 2,451 have come in 51 ODIs against Australia at an average of 53.28. He has also scored:

– 1,657 runs in 33 matches against New Zealand (average 55.23)
– 1,397 runs in 38 ODIs against England (average 41.08)
– 1,504 runs in 31 ODIs against South Africa (average 65.39)

In comparison, after 303 ODIs, Ricky Ponting had accumulated 11,223 runs at an average of 43.33 and a strike rate of 80.49. Against India, Ponting scored 1,713 runs in 48 matches at an average of 39.83. His other notable stats include:

– 1,756 runs in 40 ODIs against New Zealand (average 54.87)
– 1,533 runs in 37 ODIs against South Africa (average 42.58)
– 1,440 runs in 37 ODIs against Sri Lanka (average 45.00)

## Virat Kohli vs Ricky Ponting: Hundreds After 303 ODIs

After 303 ODIs, Kohli has notched up a record 51 hundreds and 74 half-centuries. His highest score is 183 off 148 balls against Pakistan in Mirpur in March 2012. Of his 51 centuries, notable distributions are:

– 10 hundreds against Sri Lanka
– 9 hundreds against West Indies
– 8 hundreds against Australia
– 6 hundreds against New Zealand

Ponting, after playing 303 matches, had 26 hundreds and 65 half-centuries. His best score at the time was 164 off 105 balls against South Africa in Johannesburg in March 2006. His centuries were spread as follows:

– 6 hundreds against New Zealand
– 5 hundreds against India
– 4 hundreds against Sri Lanka
– 3 hundreds against England

## Virat Kohli vs Ricky Ponting: Record in Wins After 303 ODIs

Kohli has been part of 187 matches that India have won. In these winning causes, he amassed 10,324 runs at an average of 74.27 and a strike rate of 96.61, including 43 hundreds and 45 fifties.

In 101 ODIs that India lost, he scored 3,537 runs at a modest average of 35.37 and a strike rate of 85.62.

Ponting featured in 217 wins (including one for ICC World XI) in his first 303 ODIs. In matches Australia won, he scored 8,933 runs at an average of 50.46 and a strike rate of 82.55, with 22 hundreds and 57 fifties. When on the losing side in 73 ODIs, Ponting managed 2,059 runs at an average of 29.00 and a strike rate of 73.79.

## Virat Kohli vs Ricky Ponting: Performance in Chases After 303 ODIs

Kohli has played 171 matches where India fielded first. In these chases, he scored 8,064 runs in 160 innings at an outstanding average of 64.00 and a strike rate of 93.23, including 28 hundreds and 41 half-centuries.

When batting first in 132 ODIs, he accumulated 6,117 runs at an average of 50.97 and a strike rate of 93.37, with 23 centuries and 33 fifties.

For Ponting, Australia fielded first in 134 matches. While chasing, he scored 4,109 runs at an average of 41.92 and a strike rate of 75.40, including six centuries and 25 fifties. Batting first in 169 matches, he compiled 7,114 runs at an average of 44.18 and a strike rate of 83.76, with 20 hundreds and 40 half-centuries.

—

This comprehensive comparison highlights Virat Kohli’s remarkable consistency and dominance in ODI cricket, solidifying his place among legends like Ricky Ponting. As the series against Australia progresses, fans will be eager to see Kohli continue adding to his impressive records.
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/virat-kohli-vs-ricky-ponting-comparing-stats-303-odis