Ponting reveals about giving up Australian captaincy in 2011
Ricky Ponting, who was a two-time ICC World Cup winner as the captain of the Australian cricket team, has opened up about giving up the leadership role back in 2011. Ponting led Australia to great heights as a captain and brought enormous success across Tests and ODIs. Here's what the legendary cricketer had to say.
Ponting gave up captaincy despite achieving huge success
Ponting led Australia in 77 Tests and registered a whopping 48 wins. Meanwhile, he took charge in 228 ODIs and sealed 162 wins in this process. Punter also led his team to two back-to-back World Cups in 2003 and 2007. However, after the semi-final debacle in the 2011 World Cup, Ponting decided to give up captaincy on his own terms.
Giving it up hurt: Ponting on captaincy
"Did it hurt? Yes. Giving it up hurt. I think I realised it was the right time for Australian cricket," Ponting told Sky Sports. "I want to give the next captain appropriate time to go into 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."
'I thought it was right time to give it up'
"It was really touch and go that would make it to the next Ashes. I thought it was right time to give it up and give Michael every opportunity." "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," Ponting said.
Ponting highlights why he continued to play on
Ponting also highlighted why he carried on playing. "The major reason I played on is because there were a lot of young guys coming in 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."
