Too early to compare Virat Kohli to Sachin Tendulkar, says Ricky Ponting

Australia cricket legend Ricky Ponting has hailed Indian batsman Virat Kohli, but feels that despite his success it is too early to compare him to Sachin Tendulkar. Kohli, who is the captain of the Indian Test team, has been talked about in the same breath as Tendulkar, who retired from cricket in 2013.

"Let's wait till Virat finishes off his career. He is still very young in his career. He could have a bad injury tomorrow and not play another game. You probably look at it and there is no comparison. Sachin has played 200 Tests, Virat plays 60 or 70 so probably there will be no comparison left," Ponting was quoted as saying by India Today.

On a visit to New Delhi, as the brand ambassador of his home state of Tasmania, Ponting labelled Kohli as an "ultra skilled and talented player", but said cricket boasts of a number of talented young players and whoever masters the game, will eventually be the winner of being called the best batsman in the world.

"I don't really care who it is! Whether it is Kane Williamson or Joe Root or whoever it might be. There are a number of guys at the moment who are probably on the same career path. Virat has got age on his side. His ODI career at the moment is incredible. We all saw what he did in the last IPL too. He is ultra skilled and talented player. More importantly, he has the attitude to want to be the best and lead the country in the best way he can," the Australian batting legend added.

The 27-year-old has played 45 Tests and 171 One Day Internationals for India, scoring 3,245 and 7,212 runs respectively. His limited overs format record is impressive, with the Delhi lad scoring 25 centuries so far while also picking up 21 player of the match awards.

Kohli has also been in brilliant form in Twenty20 cricket, being named the player of the series of the ICC 2016 T20 World Cup and scored 973 runs in the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL) including a record breaking four centuries.