SPORT-PONTING2LST(SPB5)

The former Australia skipper felt that India’s Test The former Australia skipper felt that India’s Testcaptain Virat Kohli led the team in the same manner in whichhe batted, aggressively. "I can see the way that he plays, it comes through alittle bit through in the way he captains the side. He is veryaggressive, wears his heart on his sleeve and is animated.That’s the way he bats and that’s the way he captains becausethat’s his personality," Ponting said. Ponting, who has been the head coach of Mumbai Indians inIPL for the past two seasons, said he could not single out thereason for Rohit Sharma’s modest show at the Test level ascompared to his outstanding ODI figures. Rohit, the only batsman in the history of the game tohit two double centuries in ODIs including a world record high264 — averages 42 in the 50-over format and 32 in Tests. "I have seen Rohit up very close. I have workedexceptionally hard on his batting and his leadership aroundthe team. He is one of the nicest people that I have met inthe game and is one of the most talented people I have seen inthe game. (But) I still haven’t been able to put a finger asto why he hasn’t been able to really dominate red ball cricketlike he has with the white ball," Ponting said. Ponting, who scored 13,378 runs with 41 hundreds in168 Tests averaging over 51, sounded optimistic that Rohit canimprove his Test record. "I know he is a determined young man and he works hardat his game and if he keeps working as hard as he does withthe talent that he has, then I think he can actually become avery good Test player for India," said the Tasmanian. PTI SSRNRB SSCSSCJMF