IPL-8: Working with Ricky Ponting is a great learning experience, says Rohit Sharma

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said that having two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting in the side as coach helps him learn a lot about leadership skills and qualities

Mumbai Indians skipper Rohit Sharma said on Monday that having two-time World Cup-winning captain Ricky Ponting in the side as coach helps him learn a lot about leadership skills and qualities.


Mumbai Indians' captain Rohit Sharma with coach Ricky Ponting at Wankhede Stadium recently. Pic/Suresh KK 

"Whenever I get the opportunity to captain a side, it is a learning process for me. Also I am working alongside a great skipper Ponting who has led-Australia to two World Cup wins. He has lot of ideas, how to win big tournaments. The way he monitors the team, talks to the team is a great learning experience," Rohit said at a promotional event here.

Mumbai Indians are yet to put up a consistent show in the ongoing tournament having lost five out of their seven encounters. They have legends Sachin Tendulkar, Ricky Ponting, Anil Kumble as part of the team as icon, coach and mentor. But still their performances have been average. But Rohit is not losing sleep over it and is looking forward to the coming matches.

"We have to accept our performance has been poor. Winning two matches out of seven we know we have not performed well. But nothing's over yet. In 2014 we were in the same situation losing earlier matches and then qualified for play-offs," he said.

Rohit Sharma said he is extremely happy and feels honoured after the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) recommended his name for the Arjuna award. "It is something to be really happy about. I feel honoured that BCCI has recommended my name for Arjuna award. It feels great," Rohit said.

The Mumbai boy made a world record for the highest individual ODI score in an innings last year by blazing 264 against Sri Lanka.

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