Rohit is a successful skipper, says Ponting

Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting has shown support for Rohit Sharma leading India in Tests looking at his impeccable record as a leader. Earlier this month, Kohli stood down as India’s Test skipper a day after the country suffered a 1-2 series defeat against South Africa in the three-match series. Last year, the 33-year-old had also stepped down as T20I captain and then he was removed as the ODI leader after the selectors wanted one leader for white-ball formats. “I was at Mumbai Indians when Rohit Sharma took over the captaincy there.

I was bought in the auction to be their captain and unfortunately, I wasn’t playing well enough after the first few games to keep myself in the team, so I had to make room for another international player to come into the side, the ICC website quoted Ponting as saying. The owners and the team management wanted to know who I thought would be the appropriate person to take over the leadership at the Mumbai Indians. There were a few names thrown around between owners and the other coaches but it was really clear to me that there was only one guy that can lead the team – he was a young guy and his name happened to be Rohit Sharma, he added.

Rohit had missed the series against South Africa due to a hamstring issue but he has now recoved and would be leading the side in the upcoming white-ball series against West Indies. “I think the proof is in the pudding with what he has done at the Mumbai Indians since that moment on.

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