Ricky Ponting News

Joe Root scripted history after smashing his 37th Test hundred on the second day of the third Test between England and India at Lord’s on Friday, July 11. With his 37th Test hundred, Root surpassed former India captain Rahul Dravid and Australian star Steve Smith, who have 36th Test centuries to their names. Here's list of batters with most hundreds in Test cricket:

Here are the top five cricketers with the most Test runs in their home countries, showcasing their dominance and lasting legacy. Each player’s unique contribution and leadership are also briefly profiled, emphasizing their greatness in home conditions.   

In cricket’s biggest moments, when pressure reaches its peak and mistakes are unforgivable, the greatest players rise above the rest. ICC knockout matches the semifinals and finals of World Cups and Champions Trophies are the ultimate test of composure, skill, and big-match temperament. While many have dazzled in league stages, only a few have consistently delivered when the stakes were highest. A statistical dive into batting averages in ICC knockout matches reveals some stunning insights former India captain Sourav Ganguly leads the elite list with an extraordinary average of 85.66. Scroll down to check the list of batsmen with best average in ICC knockouts.

In the long and storied history of Test cricket, scoring a century is considered one of the greatest milestones for a batter. While many have achieved the feat, only a few have consistently done so across formats and decades. Here's a look at the top 10 players with the most Test centuries in cricket history, a list dominated by legends from India, Australia, South Africa. 

In the long and storied history of Test cricket, scoring fifty or more in an innings has been a hallmark of consistency, temperament, and technique. While centuries are rightly celebrated, it’s the ability to repeatedly cross the 50-run mark that reflects a batter's lasting value to his team. Here’s a look at the top 10 players with the most 50+ scores in Test history  the true pillars of their sides over the decades.

The Australian all-rounder scored a roaring century against Los Angeles Knight Riders. Ricky Ponting is the head coach of Washington Freedom. Earlier the duo was together in Punjab Kings during IPL 2025.

Aiden Markram created history by becoming the first-ever South African batter to score a century in an ICC tournament Final. Markram achieved this massive feat for South Africa in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 final against Australia at Lord's, London. After his historic knock, the 30-year-old Markram joined legends like Sourav Ganguly, Ricky Ponting and others in the elite list. Here's the list of the first players to score a century for their respective teams in an ICC tournament final:

The Temba Bavuma-led South Africa need 282 runs to win the WTC Final after they bowled out South Africa for 207 in their second innings.

Ricky Ponting's team Punjab Kings lost to Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) by six runs in the IPL 2025 final in Ahmedabad on June 3, Tuesday. 

As India gears up for their challenging five-match Test series against England, beginning June 20 at Headingley, Leeds, a new era in Indian cricket is officially underway. Following the retirement of legends Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket, 25-year-old Shubman Gill has been handed the reins of leadership, a bold move that has garnered both praise and skepticism.  

England's modern-day batting great Joe Root is fast closing in on one of the most iconic records in Test cricket the all-time highest run tally held by India’s Sachin Tendulkar. With Root showing no signs of slowing down, the cricketing world is abuzz with anticipation: can he surpass the Master Blaster? As of now, Sachin Tendulkar leads the chart with 15,921 Test runs in a legendary career spanning 200 matches. Root, the most consistent Test batter in recent years, has already amassed over 13,000 runs till now in Tests and is still an integral part of England’s red-ball setup. With age on his side and form still intact, Root is a serious contender to break the record.

Punjab Kings secured a playoff spot for the first time since 2014, boosted by stellar performances and now Stoinis, Inglis, Hardie, and Jamieson return ahead of crucial matches.  

Rishabh Pant’s pre-season jibe at Punjab Kings has backfired as his poor form and LSG’s struggles contrast PBKS’s playoff-bound rise under Shreyas Iyer, making Pant’s comments look like misplaced arrogance in IPL 2025.

Punjab Kings secured an eight-wicket win over LSG, continuing their strong IPL 2025 start. Ricky Ponting urged the team to stay focused.  

Punjab Kings will take on Gujarat Titans in their opening match on March 25 in Ahmedabad.

Due to three all-rounders starting in their playing XI in all five of their matches at the recently concluded Champions Trophy, India had an incredible batting depth, while also having an array of options to choose with the ball.  

Before the Champions Trophy 2025 final against New Zealand, there were talks around the Indian skipper’s retirement from the ODI format, however, Rohit Sharma quashed them in the press conference following the title win.  

Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, with 4 ICC trophies each, are eyeing the 2027 World Cup to match Ricky Ponting’s record of 5 ICC titles. Rohit led India to victory in the T20 World Cup 2024 and Champions Trophy 2025, while Kohli has won major titles under MS Dhoni and Rohit’s captaincy. A 2027 win could cement their legacy.

Ricky Ponting believes Rohit Sharma's decision to continue in ODIs stems from "unfinished business" after India's 2023 World Cup final loss. 

Former West Indies batter Ramnaresh Sarwan won the Player of the Tournament award in the 2004 edition of the Champions Trophy. The former right-hand batter scored 5804 runs in a total of 181 ODIs he played.