Virat Kohli was absent from any consideration in the view of Ponting on who really is the “best player of this generation.” The former Australia captain would rather opt for Smith, especially after the Australian great had crossed the 10,000-run mark in Test cricket and then went on to get his 35th Test century on Day 1 of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.
Day 1 in Sri Lanka couldn’t have been sweeter for Smith as with his single on the very first ball of his innings, he became the 15th man in Test history to cross 10,000 runs. Smith became the fourth Australian after Ricky Ponting to do so and is now equal on level terms at second position among the fastest to touch the milestone. Later, his 35th Test century helped him cross over Sunil Gavaskar on the all-time list with a 195-run partnership with Usman Khawaja that saw Australia make 330 for the loss of 2 wickets before end of play on Day 1.
On Smith’s achievement, Ponting complimented him, saying that he is in the contention for being the best batter of the current generation. England’s Joe Root, he maintained, was also in the reckoning.
“Is he the best of this generation? Definitely hard to argue against it,” Ponting acknowledged, while at the same time appreciating Root’s triumphs in recent times. “Kane Williamson has a pretty good record too,” he said.
Kohli’s importance in the “Fab Four” of current greats (with Smith, Root, and Williamson) seems to have ebbed over the last few years. Up until 2020, Kohli was way ahead of the others in having scored 27 centuries, which were ahead of Smith, Williamson, and Root. But then Root turned up the pressure, scoring 19 tons in the last four years while Kohli managed just three in that period. As such, Root tops the list with 36 centuries, followed by Smith, Williamson, and Kohli.
Ponting spoke about the shift: “Five or six years ago, when this group emerged, Kohli was at the forefront. But Root has really elevated himself with his recent performances.”
Ponting felt that it might depend on where you come from but statistically, Smith puts forward a great argument for his eminent position as best of the generation.