Rohit Sharma Recalls The Time When Ricky Ponting Picked Him To Lead Mumbai Indians Ahead Of Another Candidate

Rohit Sharma’s appointment as captain of Mumbai Indians in 2013 indeed proved as a masterstroke. But few people know that there was one more contender ahead of Rohit Sharma to take over the reins. In an Instagram live session with fellow countryman and off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the 33-year old explained in detail how the captaincy came into his bucket.

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Mumbai Indians struggled in the initial years even as they had star-studded players like Sachin Tendulkar, Sanath Jayasuriya, Shaun Pollock, Harbhajan Singh. Even with multiple changes in captains, couldn’t alter their fortunes. But 2013 was the end of their troubles when Ricky Ponting sidestepped midway in the tournament to make way for Rohit Sharma. Not only did Ponting drop himself as a captain, but also omitted himself from the playing eleven.

And the side has remained unstoppable ever since. Mumbai Indians won the 2013 edition by beating Chennai Super Kings. Rohit guided his team to three more titles in 2015, 2017, and 2019 by beating Chennai in 2015 and 2019 and defeating Rising Pune Supergiants in 2017 in a thriller. With the bat as well, the Mumbai batsman has sizzled, scoring 4898 runs.

Ricky Ponting’s call to select Rohit Sharma as captain over Dinesh Karthik:

Remembering the 2013 season, the swashbuckling right-handed batsman said that he had to prepare himself as captain if the opportunity came knocking. But with the former Australian skipper coming via the auction to Mumbai Indians, Rohit Sharma left hope. However, Ponting himself backed Rohit to lead the team ahead of Dinesh Karthik, an option in some people’s minds. For the first three years from 2008 to 2010, the 33-year old played for Deccan Chargers before plying his trade for Mumbai Indians.

“I was part of the Pragyan Ojha trade from DC and that’s when I thought I could be captain. I thought I have to be ready when the opportunity comes my way. They got Ponting in the auction (in 2013). I can’t compete with him. Some people were thinking we can go with DK (Dinesh Karthik). But Ponting called me and said I want you to take it forward.” India’s limited-overs vice-captain said as quoted by Times Now.

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