Ricky Ponting dooms Virat Kohli as Aussie cricket legend does it again at T20 World Cup

Aussie cricket great Ricky Ponting has once again left viewers gobsmacked by his ability to see things before they happen. Ponting's predictions are becoming the stuff of legend and he was at it again after correctly calling Virat Kohli's demise against the USA at the T20 World Cup.

Kohli's India qualified for the tournament's Super Eight stage with a seven-wicket win over hosts, the United States, who did well to recover from a rocky start to post 8-110 after batting first. Arshdeep Singh's four-wicket haul and an unbeaten half century for Suryakumar Yadav helped heavyweights India clinch their third win in a row on a tricky pitch in Long Island.

But it was the wicket of superstar India batter Kohli that had viewers and Ponting's fellow commentator in awe of the former Aussie captain. Ponting is gaining a reputation for being able to identify issues for batters and bowlers during cricket matches and accurately predict when wickets are about to fall. And again, his incredible knowledge of the game was on show for all to witness during commentary for Amazon Prime's coverage of the World Cup.

Ponting's knack for clairvoyancy came before Kohli faced up to his first ball against the USA's Indian-born medium pacer Saurabh Netravalkar. The Aussie legend had been explaining to viewers that Pakistan and Ireland both had luck bowling wide of the length to Kohli in India's opening two matches at the World Cup. Kohli scored one and four in those two games, with Ponting highlighting his apparent weakness to the shorter and wider deliveries.

Viewers in awe as Ricky Ponting predicts Virat Kohli wicket

"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 as the host broadcaster showed clips of his previous dismissals. To the amazement of his fellow commentator Dinesh Karthik and many viewers tuning into the coverage, Netravalkar removed Kohli for a golden duck in the exact manner Ponting had anticipated.

"You've done it one too many times now, it must feel really good as a commentator when you speak about something and that exactly happens," former India star Karthik said in commentary. "Not that you wanted Virat to get out but about how they attack outside off stump."

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Kohli's worrying run of form has now seen him score just five runs in three innings so far at this World Cup, having faced just nine balls. He was quickly followed to the pavilion by opening partner and skipper Rohit Sharma (3), who also fell victim to Netravalkar after catching an edge and being caught off the bowling of the USA seamer.

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Risbabh Pant (18) was the next to depart and his wicket left India in a spot of bother at 3-39 midway through the eighth over as the USA dared to dream about another upset. The co-hosts stunned the cricket world earlier in the tournament after clinching a shock victory against Pakistan.

But it was not to be for the USA after Yadav (50 not out) and Shivam Dube (31 not out) steadied the ship for India, before accelerating the run-rate in the letter stages of the contest. Their controlled partnership ensured India cruised to victory with 10 balls to spare and seven wickets in hand.

The Indians were also aided by a five-run penalty against the Americans after their opponents were guilty of taking more than 60 seconds to be ready to start an over, on three seperate occasions. The USA's innings began in disastrous fashion after Arshdeep (4-9) dismissed Shayan Jahangir (0) and Andries Gous (2) in the first over.

Hardik Pandya (2-14) then added the wicket of Aaron Jones to leave USA reeling at 3-25, before Steven Taylor (24) and Nitish Kumar (27) helped them to a respectable total that ultimately never seemed enough against India. However, the USA can guarantee their qualification for the Super Eight stage if they beat group rivals Ireland in their next match.

with agencies