Ricky Ponting backs Rohit Sharma to lead India in Tests

Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting has put his weight behind Rohit Sharma to lead the Indian team in Test cricket after Virat Kohli decided to relinquish his leadership duties. Rohit has done a fantastic job as a leader for Mumbai Indians in the IPL as he has led them to five titles after taking the baton from Ponting himself.

Rohit has also done a fine job while leading the national team in the absence of Virat Kohli and had led the team to Asia Cup and Nidahas Trophy victories. Furthermore, Rohit Sharma has proved his mettle as a Test opener in the last couple of years.

Rohit had a brilliant run in the home season after he was promoted as a Test opener and then he was able to deliver the goods in the challenging overseas conditions. The right-hander scored 368 runs in four Test matches against England and batted at the top of his game against the likes of James Anderson and Stuart Broad.

Thus, as Rohit has performed brilliantly in the last couple of years in the red-ball version, Ricky Ponting feels he is the right man for the captaincy job.

While talking to Isha Guha on the first episode of ICC Review, Ponting said, “I think the proof is in the pudding with what he (Rohit) has done at the Mumbai Indians since that moment on. 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 2-3 years. He has played as well as anybody in the world through that period of time, and we know how good he is as a white-ball player.

“They (BCCI) will have a decision to make what they want to do with their roles as well, whether they split roles or they want to keep the same captain for all formats,” he said.

On the other hand, Ricky Ponting also shed light on Ajinkya Rahane’s leadership but the former Indian vice-captain isn’t in the best of forms with the bat. Furthermore, KL Rahul’s name is also tossed up for Test captaincy as per the latest reports.

“To be honest, I have worked with Ajinkya – he is just a great bloke, a very, very good player. He hasn’t had his best period with the bat in Tests, but we saw what he can do leadership-wise in the series against Australia last summer.

“I don’t know KL Rahul well – his name’s been thrown around a little bit. All reports I hear about him is he is a terrific guy, and he’s playing very well and starting to put together a really good Test record, particularly overseas which is impressive,” he explained.

India will take on West Indies in the limited-overs format.