Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting recently spilled beans on his decision to quit captaincy for Australia post the 2011 World Cup.
Despite scoring a century in the quarter-finals against India at Ahmedabad, Ponting’s team crashed out of the tournament, as India won the match by five wickets.
Under the influential leadership of Ponting, Australia reached new heights, being the second generation of world-beaters after West Indies of the 70s.
Ponting led Australia to their second and third straight World Cup win during the 2000s. Australia also won the 1999 ODI World Cup under Steve Waugh and Ponting featuring in the champion squad.
The Tasmanian turned out to be the best captain for Australia in ODIs, with his tally of 162 wins in 228 games as a skipper.
“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,” Ponting told Sky Sports.
After stepping down as captain, Michael Clarke took over the reins as the Australian captain. Later, Pup led the Kangaroos to their fifth World Cup win in 2015.
“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,” Ponting looked back.
Punter then went on to say that he wanted to contribute to the smooth transition within the Australian team, with youngsters coming through the ranks.
“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,” concluded the 45-year old.
Ponting soon retired from all forms of cricket in 2013 and enjoyed his stint as coach of the Mumbai Indians and Delhi Capitals in IPL.
