Virat Kohli always has a magnetic name. The cricketing world is too sick to look even when he is not making centuries, when he is only facing eight balls in a single innings. It was the atmosphere following the premature dismissal of the former India captain on the first occasion of the Australia v India series of matches at Perth and it created a flood of commentary, the most prominent of which was that of former Australia captain Ricky Ponting.

The pronunciation of Ponting was direct and obvious, he does not want to hear Virat Kohli telling him that he has attained everything. In the case of one of the most competitive players in the modern history of cricket, complacency, even its insinuation, is an out of place peculiarity. There were words of respect and warning in Ponting, that greatness must continuously renew itself.

First, the remarks by Ponting followed when Virat Kohli slumped in his come-back ODI getting nicked by a wide ball to the slips after a month of inactivity. Though it was a small matter on its own, the dismissal rekindled the discussion of the form and motivation. With India and Australia preparing to play a hectic white-ball agenda, Ponting reckons that it is upon Kohli to relearn how to find the rhythm and appetite instead of living by reputation.

Such players like Virat Kohli are not allowed to survive on old achievements according to Ponting. The difference between champions lies in the fact that, even when they have gained all that they sought, they would be motivated enough to discover a motivation to do so. The fact that he has stressed that he has to remain mentally fit reflects the intensity of international cricket particularly to those who are towards the end of their 20 years in the game.

Ponting was never long to wait before he struck a balance between criticism and admiration however. The Australian legend being what he was having encountered Kohli in times immemorial he knew that the Indian talisman has seldom been deprived of impulse. Ponting sees less talent as an issue and more he sees purpose as an issue. He is still one of the fifty-over players I have ever seen and Ponting said that. You must continue to make short-term goals.

It is an important concept of short-term goals. Virat Kohli has represented India in more than 500 international matches and scored a total of over 26, 000 runs and re-written the modern play book on the ODI. However, Ponting is worried based on experience here when the players become chatting about what they have already accomplished, the hunger that made them go initially starts to become weaker. The trick he says is not to concentrate on future milestones such as the 2027 world cup but short-term series ambitions one game, one appearance, one test at a time.

Then, circumstances also are a factor. Ponting mentioned that the following games in Australia present the best chances to Virat Kohli to rebound. According to him, Adelaide Oval is the ideal place to bat in one day cricket; and the smooth deck and fast outfield would lastingly make Kohli get his timing and confidence back. It was not doubt but the Australian legend saw it as being a demand, to tell the Indian star to take what is there before him instead of peering too far into the future.

Moreover, Ponting made comparisons to the leadership team of India. Both Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma have abandoned some formats and pay most attention to ODIs. Although made with logic to address work load, the same move has cast doubt on motivation and sustainability. Ponting and the former India coach Ravi Shastri are in agreement in a point that the players cannot be written off. Champion players as Shastri has recently said make a way. Ponting agreed with that, but maintained that performance, rather than reputation should take the centre stage.

There is a larger argument that Ponting makes that is not statistical. Over ten years Virat Kohli has been the beater of the Indian cricket and a player whose aggressive play, physical fitness and his consistency have turned professionalism a new definition. However, contemporary cricket is inhuman there is not just a series that follows another player, another headline. To Kohli it is as psychological as it is technical henceforth to keep the intensity up.

In addition, there is an interesting generational bridge in the comments made by Ponting. This is one of the players that have led some of the greatest teams ever as a reminder to the current legends that maintaining the top is a matter of evolution. He understands that Virat Kohli remains a figure of great respect in the dressing room, is able to still impact the coming generation and that is why he does not want him to sound like a man who is satisfied.

Last but not least, the message that was left behind by the Ponting challenge is conviction but not criticism. He thinks Virat Kohli is and will react the only way that he is used to and that is by hitting the runs. In fact every champion strikes a wall, and only a small number of them make it. The following series of the Australian games might be that point of turning. To fans, to selectors, even to rivals, the question all ends up being the same can Kohli one more time rouse the intensity which had characterized his best years?

The need to rediscover is more about the story even though India is still on its campaign. It is time to make Virat Kohli an Indian cricket player who makes the heartbeat of Indian cricket. This is the right time to show that the man who once claimed that he loved the pressure, indeed does.

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