"Ricky Ponting knows how to bring out the best in someone, he is from another planet", says Rohit Sharma

Click Here To Promote Anything On The Above Place

An opening batsman and the limited-overs vice-captain, Rohit Sharma recalled the time when he got to share the dressing room with former Australian captain, Ricky Ponting, and heap praised the two-time world cup winning captain for his influence on the players as player and coach. In a live chat session on Instagram with spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, Rohit talked about the various things including his stint with Mumbai Indians.

"I feel Ponting is a guy from another planet. He knows how to bring out the best in someone. He has won two World Cups for Australia. So he knows how to win Championships," Rohit told Ashwin.



In IPL 2012, Sachin Tendulkar stepped down from MI's captaincy and Harbhajan Singh was made the captain before he too stepped down in 2013. That time, Rohit felt that he would be the next captain but then Ricky Ponting was bought in the auction.

"In 2013, we got Ricky Ponting in the auction. In 2012 Sachin paaji said that he would not lead Mumbai Indians and Bhajju paa (Harbhajan Singh) was made the skipper. But in 2013, I don't know why Bhajju paa wasn't the captain. And I thought I will be made the captain, but then Ponting was bought in the auction," said Rohit.

"Ponting was the first one to arrive in India for the 2013 season. He wanted to understand everyone. He said that he wanted to have a team bonding session first. In a way, it made a very positive impact on everyone. Ponting really motivated the younger guys," he added.



When Ponting was bought by Mumbai Indians in the auction, he was given captaincy instantly. However, he gave up captaincy after the first six matches in IPL 2013 as he couldn't perform well in those matches. That was the time when Rohit Sharma was handed over MI's leadership before MI won 4 IPL titles under his captaincy.

"But then he was not scoring runs, he decided to step down as the skipper, but eventually Ponting called me and I was given the captaincy. Ponting actually was player-cum-coach during the 2013 season. He was always there to help me," Rohit said.

Rohit Sharma also talked about how his life has changed since the arrival of his baby girl Samaira who he considers his lucky charm. The right-handed also revealed why he has given up on eating the famous street food of Mumbai.



"I've been out a couple of times, gone to that famous place near Chowpatty. One of the best pav bhaajis you will get there. Now I've got a little one in the house, probably sleeping at that point so there is no chance of going and eating pav bhaajis after midnight," he said.

Once Virat Kohli had said that Rohit Sharma is one of the laziest people in the team. Now, Rohit has confessed his love for sleeping and said he needs at least 9-10 hours of sleep.

"It's true that I've never made it to the breakfast table in IPL history, also because of other reasons as it gets very late after matches. I need my 9-10 hours of sleep, that is a must. Since Samaira was born, I used to sleep with her. I somehow managed to sleep with her and wake up with her. Because once she's up your not going to get your sleep," Rohit said.

Stay tuned...