Not Virat Kohli! Ricky Ponting reveals the best batter of current generation

Former Australian skipper and commentator Ricky Ponting has stated that it is hard to argue that Steve Smith is the best batter of the current generation ahead of Virat Kohli, Joe Root and Kane Williamson.

Just when Steve Smith was hit by a dip in form, he smacked two centuries against India in the recently concluded Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25. Moreover, he continued his rich form against Sri Lanka with another century in Galle on Wednesday.

"Is he the best player of his generation? It's hard to argue against it. Joe Root is the other one now, and [Kane] Williamson's record is outstanding as well. Joe's last couple of years have elevated him right back up there, I think," Ponting stated as quoted by The Sydney Morning Herald.

"Five or six years ago, when this big four emerged, with [Virat] Kohli being one of those as well, Joe was probably down near the bottom part of that because he hadn't made the hundreds the other guys had made, but he's made 19 hundreds in the past four years," he added.

"If you asked an Englishman they'd say Joe Root, if you asked an Aussie they'd say Steve Smith, and if you asked a Kiwi they'd say Kane Williamson. So it's a tough one, but on the numbers themselves it's pretty hard to argue against what he's done," Ponting concluded.

Steve Smith reaches the 10000-run mark

It’s worth noting that on Day 1 of the Sri Lanka vs Australia first Test, Steve Smith crossed the 10,000-run mark in Tests. He emerged as the fifth-fastest batter to reach the milestone in 205 innings, behind Brian Lara, Sachin Tendulkar, Kumar Sangakkara and Ricky Ponting.

Moreover, Steve Smith also rocketed to the seventh position in the all-time list for the most hundreds in the longest format of cricket.

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