Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar was highly tipped to lead Mumbai Indians during IPL-6. However, the sudden decision of appointing former Australian skipper Ricky Ponting as the new skipper of MI replacing Harbhajan Singh has come as a big surprise to all the Mumbai Indians fans.
In the gap of 24 hours the retired former Australian captain was named as the new skipper of an IPL team featuring former counterpart Sachin Tendulkar then replacement for another great foe, Graeme Smith, in an English county team.
Ponting remains to score runs in domestic cricket, piling 95 - and copping a $250 fine for a trivial incident - in a just concluded one day match for Tasmania.
The evidence that his skills have not decreased despite his terrible international form saw him sign a lucrative two month contract with Surrey where he will replace the South African captain in all three formats while he is on Champions Trophy duties.
More alarming was the idea to make him captain of a Mumbai Indian team whose star player is the Indian idol Tendulkar. Perhaps, no one has expected this decision and, more specifically, at this point of time.
Ponting was purchased at a recent auction by the T20 franchise for the bargain price of $400,000.
Harbhajan had been its captain earlier but left the side, opening the door for a man he has been involved in many a bitter contest with.
Tendulkar has always been adamant to skipper and stood down from that role in his national side in 2000.
Mumbai’s team mentor is ex legendary Team India spinner Anil Kumble - the man who accused Ponting’s men of breaching cricket’s spirit after losing to Australia in the drama-charged 2008 Sydney Test.
"Ricky has a lot of experience to lead a competitive and a high-profile side like Mumbai Indians in the IPL," Kumble reacted about his appointment.
"Sachin readily agreed to my suggestion that Mumbai Indians is best served when he leads the batting unburdened by the rigours of captaincy. It was our idea (Sachin and mine) to bring in Ricky as the captain of the Mumbai Indians."
Ponting appears to hold no grudges against anyone as far as his professional gaming of cricket is taken into consideration.
“It's a huge honour and I thank Mrs (Nita) Ambani and the Mumbai Indians management for the faith they have reposed in my abilities. Mumbai Indians has the potent combination of Indian and international cricketers and I look forward to leading the team to play to its full potential," he said.
Ponting has a tough schedule ahead, with the IPL scheduled in April and his county stint for June. He observed that Surrey’s home at The Oval was a ground that held mixed memories - the Australian Ashes experience there under his leadership have not been good in recent times.
"It hasn’t been the friendliest place for me but now it will be my home for two months this summer. I’d like to think I can contribute a significant amount to the club – on and off the field – and am looking forward to getting stuck in as soon as I arrive.”
