Rohit Sharma Credits Ricky Ponting For Teaching Him To Put His Teammates Before Himself
Published - 26 Sep 2020, 08:44 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:34 AM
Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting undoubtedly deserves the credit for backing Rohit Sharma the captain back in IPL 2013. Ricky Ponting removed himself as the captain and the line-up of Mumbai Indians due to form concerns in IPL 2013 and thrust Rohit Sharma into the role. The right-handed batsman heaped praises on the former Australian batsman, who is currently the coach of Delhi Capitals, crediting Ponting for teaching him the nuances of leadership.
The decision to promote Rohit Sharma into the leadership role worked wonders for Mumbai Indians as he guided the franchise to four titles in seven years, including the year 2013. The 33-year old encouraged the right mix of youth and experience that has produced the desired results for the team while also displaying calmness under pressure. It also earned him the vice-captain’s hat for the national team in limited-overs cricket and has led the Indian side quite a few times.
Rohit Sharma underlined that he concentrates on getting performances from his teammates while also keeping in mind his own form. He wants to ensure that the other ten members of the team feel important and credits Ricky Ponting for teaching him that particular trait.
“I see how I can get little contributions from all the players. And of course, my performance is also important. I want to make sure that the 10 guys who are playing and the other players on the bench, I should be talking to them and make them feel important. And that is something that I learned from Ricky Ponting (former MI player and coach),” Rohit Sharma said as quoted by India Today.
The veteran batsman recalled Ponting telling him that a captain should not be thinking how he wants his teammates to do it. The Tasmanian emphasized on listening to them, filter, and give it to them.
“The first thing Ponting told me that when you are captaining you can’t be thinking about how you want them to do it. Always listen to them, take it in your stride and then filter it and give it to them. It was great learning for me when he was a part of Mumbai,” the 33-year old conceded.
“When I’m leading the side I’m the least important person” : Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma further stated that he thinks of himself as the least important person as the captain. When he talks to any player, Rohit considers the counterpart as important since he is going to be the one executing the plans. Only that way the 33-year old believes he could get the best out of his players.
“I want my teammates to be on the same page as I am. When I talk to my player I think of myself as the least important person in the squad. I think as if I’m not important, you are important because you are going to execute the plans so whatever you want I will do it.
When I’m leading the side I’m the least important person. That’s how I want to think because if I’m thinking about how to take the team forward myself I won’t be able to do it. I’m thinking that I’m the last member of the squad and the other 10 are important for me. That’s how I will get the best out of them,” he added further.
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