Former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting is arguably the best skipper to ever grace the game of cricket. He has brought a lot of accolades for his country during his time at the helm of the side including the World Cup. However, to everyone’s surprise, Ponting stepped down from role after their defeat in the 2011 World Cup and has recently opened up on the same.
Ponting has won two consecutive World Cups in 2003 and 2007 and also the Champions Trophy in 2006. Even in Test matches, Ricky Ponting has won 48 games out of 77 matches. Furthermore, he is also the most successful ODI captain of all time. As a captain of the Australian side, he has won 162 out of the 228 matches.
Read More: IPL 2020 likely to be called off – Report
However, Ponting stepped down from leadership duties after India knocked them off in the quarterfinals. Finally, after so many years, the talismanic run-scorer opened up on the same stating that he felt that was the right to go away. Moreover, he also wanted to give enough time to the next captain to prepare for the World Cup.
“Did it hurt? Yes. Giving it up to hurt. I think I realised it was the right time for Australian cricket. I wanted to give the next captain appropriate time to go into the next couple of big tournaments. I wanted to ensure Michael (Clarke) had enough time to be the best captain he can be in the next big event. It was touch and go that I would make it to the next Ashes. I thought it was the right time to give it up and give Michael every opportunity,” the Ponting told Sky Sports.
Read More: Danish Kaneria Slams Pakistan Cricket Board For Discriminating Based On Religion
Furthermore, Ricky Ponting revealed that he decided to stay around the team as a batsman after the World Cup because he knew he had to help youngsters in the side. The former cricketer officially retired from all forms of cricket in 2013.
“I made a hundred in the World Cup quarter-final and I was still playing well. There were a few eyebrows raised when I said I would like to play on. The major reason I played on is because there were a lot of young guys coming in at the time and I wanted to make sure I was around to help them.
Believe me, there was nothing left for me to achieve in the game and I was only around for what I thought was best for Australian cricket,” Ponting concluded.