Ricky Ponting is a former Australian cricketer and one of the most successful captains in the history of the sport. Born on December 19, 1974, in Launceston, Tasmania, he made his international debut in 1995. Over his career, he played 168 Test matches and 375 One Day Internationals (ODIs), scoring over 27,000 runs combined. Ponting led the Australian national cricket team to two Cricket World Cup victories in 1999 and 2003. Known for his aggressive batting style and sharp leadership, he is often regarded as one of the greatest batsmen of all time. After retiring in 2012, he has worked as a commentator and coach.