‘Defiant’ Ponting says he is still the right man to lead Australia despite India drubbing

SYDNEY - Ricky Ponting has said that he is still the man to captain the side after leading Australia in the worst Test match losing streak in 22 years.

Australia lost the Test series 2-0 to India and plunged to fifth position in the world Test rankings.

Speaking in Sydney after his arrival from India, Ponting brushed aside calls for him to step down as captain.

Asked if he still feels he is the person to lead the side, Ponting said: “Absolutely, I’ve got no doubt about that all. It was disappointing over there (India) … but that’s the game of cricket.”

“I’m still learning about my own game and my captaincy and if the other players can learn a bit from that trip then it should hold us in good stead for the summer,” he said.

“I’m trying to do my best as captain to help some of these guys through some difficult times. That’s all I can continue to do,” The Sydney Morning Herald quoted Ponting, as saying.

“I give my absolute best as always, ever since I’ve been the Australian captain, to be the best leader I can be and be the best player I can be and if I get criticised for that along the way then I can’t do anything about that,” he added.

With less than a month before the first Test at the Gabba, Ponting feels selections may be more open than usual with domestic players possibly getting a chance to shine in light of the Test team’s form slump.

“It’s very rare that we lose three games in a row so I’m sure the selectors will have a few things that they’re thinking about over the next few weeks. With the Shield season already underway there have been some great standout performances already,” he said. (ANI)