Ponting’s Prediction Spot-On as Kohli Falls in India’s T20 World Cup Win Over USA
In a demonstration of his vast cricketing knowledge, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting accurately predicted Virat Kohli’s early dismissal during India’s win over the United States in the T20 World Cup. India’s seven-wicket victory over the US secured their place in the “super eight” round, while the US hopes to advance by beating Ireland on Friday.
Ponting’s Insightful Analysis on Kohli’s Wicket
Before Kohli faced his first delivery, Ponting analyzed the star batter’s recent form, highlighting his struggles in the tournament where he scored just one and four in the first two matches. Ponting noted Kohli’s technique, emphasizing his back and across movement, which helps him dominate straighter deliveries. However, Ponting pointed out that opponents like Pakistan and Ireland had started exploiting Kohli’s vulnerability by bowling wider.
“In this tournament so far … teams are looking to bowl a lot wider to Virat than ever before, (he was) caught at third man in the first game,” Ponting said on Amazon Prime’s coverage.
His prediction proved prescient when Kohli was caught behind for a golden duck, dismissed by Indian-born American bowler Saurabh Netravalkar. Ponting elaborated, “We were just talking about the line, the bowlers just look to bowl to him slightly wider outside the off-stump, trying to make him find it and feel for the ball with his hands.”
Ponting’s analysis underscored the thorough preparation of the US team and the strategic shift in targeting Kohli outside the off-stump. “All the homework they [India] would’ve done would be about Netravalkar swinging the ball back into the right-hander, this one didn’t, it was pushed across … what a breakthrough,” Ponting added.
India vs USA match overview
The US team, fresh off an upset victory over Pakistan, set a modest total of 110 runs. India’s chase began shakily as Netravalkar continued his golden run, celebrating the dismissals of Indian superstars Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli. Sharma was out for three runs, while Kohli’s golden duck was a significant highlight for Netravalkar, who finished with impressive figures of 2-18 in four overs.
Rishabh Pant, batting at number three, added 18 runs off 20 balls but was eventually bowled by Ali Khan, leaving India at a precarious 3-39 in 7.3 overs. The US team briefly raised hopes of another major shock.
However, Suryakumar Yadav and Shivam Dube steadied the innings, adopting a cautious approach against the challenging conditions. India reached the 50-run mark only after 11 overs, emphasizing their methodical recovery.
The match’s momentum shifted decisively when India was awarded five penalty runs after the 15th over, as the US team exceeded the allowed time between overs. This penalty provided the boost India needed, with Yadav subsequently taking 15 runs off Shadley van Schalkwyk’s 17th over.
