'His captaincy record in IPL speaks for itself' - Ricky Ponting hails Rohit Sharma's leadership skills

Rohit Sharma is perhaps one of the most dangerous batsmen in the world today. Despite struggling in the longest format of the game after a stupendous debut in 2013, where he hit two centuries in his first two Tests. After more than six years batting in the middle order, the Mumbaikar finally got a chance of opening the innings and he cracked the code to Test cricket finally.

He slammed a double ton and twin centuries in one Test in the home series against South Africa and continued the good form against Bangladesh as well. Apart from his batting, Rohit has also impressed with his captaincy skills while leading the Indian team in absence of Virat Kohli.

Rohit won the Asia Cup 2018 while leading India and has also triumphed in 2018 Nidahas T20 tri-series. Furthermore, his captaincy skills got backing of the most successful captains in international cricket, Ricky Ponting of Australia.

Ricky Ponting has worked with Rohit Sharma in the IPL

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting who won the 2003 and 2007 World Cups leading the Kangaroos and took them to the semifinals of the 2011 edition as well; has worked with Rohit Sharma in the Mumbai Indians’ camp in Indian Premier League as well. It was Ponting who was replaced by Rohit as MI captain midway into the 2013 season and led the franchise to their first IPL title that year.

Ponting was asked during a Q&A session on Twitter by a fan on rating Rohit Sharma’s captaincy skills given that he had worked with him as a player and as a coach with the franchise. The fan asked, “Since you’ve worked with him in the IPL, how highly do you rate Rohit Sharma the captain?”

Ponting replied that he not only rated Rohit Sharma very highly as a batsman but also applauded his leadership skills. He further mentioned that fans do not have to look further than MI’s four IPL title wins, all of which have come under the captaincy of Rohit in 2013, 2015, 2017 and 2019. Ponting tweeted, “I rate @ImRo45 exceptionally highly as a batsman and leader. His captaincy record in the IPL speaks for itself”

I rate @ImRo45 exceptionally highly as a batsman and leader. His captaincy record in the IPL speaks for itself https://t.co/l8MWjjxIb1

— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) January 12, 2020

Meanwhile, Rohit Sharma will be in action against the Australian team when the Kangaroos take on Men in Blue in the first ODI of the three-match series in Wankhede Stadium in Mumbai on January 2. The mercurial opener had taken a rest from international cricket during the home T20I series against Sri Lanka, which India won 2-0 under Virat’s leadership.