‘He is a successful leader’ – Ricky Ponting backs Rohit Sharma to become India’s Test captain

It won’t be too wrong to say that Virat Kohli’s resignation as Test captain has left the team in a state of bother. The 33-year-old made the major announcement a day after India’s 1-2 defeat against South Africa earlier this month. While there’s no obvious choice to fill Kohli’s boots in the purest format, Rohit Sharma seems to be the front-runner to take the role.

Now, Rohit, who already has the reins of the white-ball teams, has been doing well in Tests lately. However, the opener is prone to injuries and will turn 35 this April. Hence, many believe the selectors must look at someone else for the crucial role. However, former Australian captain Ricky Ponting is not of that opinion. The Aussie legend has thrown his support behind Rohit, saying his record as a leader is impeccable.

Ricky Ponting recalls how Rohit Sharma replaced him as Mumbai Indians captain

“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 could lead the team – he was a young guy and his name happened to be Rohit Sharma,” he added.

It must be noted that Rohit is the only skipper to win five Indian Premier League (IPL) titles. He has also worked closely with Ponting when the latter served the franchise as the head coach. “I think the proof is in the pudding with what he has done for the Mumbai Indians from that moment on,” asserted Ponting.

“He has been a very successful leader there and has been when he has led India on a few occasions as well. If I go back to what I said at the start about being on top of your game when you take over a captaincy role, then it is pretty hard to argue after what he has done with his Test cricket in the last 2-to three years,” he further added.