How Legend Ricky Ponting Became Rohit Sharma’s Water Boy in the IPL

But one of the most surprising moments happened in IPL 2013 when Ricky Ponting, a two-time ODI World Cup-winning captain, was spotted serving drinks to Rohit Sharma. Ponting had just stepped down as Mumbai Indians’ captain, allowing a young Rohit to take charge and instead of staying in the spotlight, he quietly took on a supporting role. But how did Rohit Sharma react to this unexpected gesture? Well, let’s dive into the story and find out!

Ricky Ponting Steps Down as Mumbai Indians Struggle in 2013 Season

The 2013 IPL season didn’t start as expected for Mumbai Indians. With high hopes of clinching their first-ever IPL title, the team found itself struggling after the first six matches. They had managed to win only three games while losing the other three, leaving them in an uncertain position on the points table. Fans were beginning to doubt whether this star-studded squad would even make it to the playoffs.

At the top of the team was Ricky Ponting, one of the greatest captains in cricket history, a two-time ODI World Cup-winning skipper for Australia. Mumbai Indians had trusted him with the leadership, believing his experience and winning mentality could guide them to their maiden IPL trophy. However, things didn’t go according to plan. Mumbai began their campaign with a nail-biting loss against Royal Challengers Bangalore, falling short by just two runs.

They bounced back strongly with three consecutive wins, defeating Chennai Super Kings, Delhi Daredevils, and Pune Warriors India, which gave them a temporary boost. But just when it seemed like they were finding their rhythm, two crushing defeats in a row brought them crashing down again. They suffered a humiliating 87-run loss against Rajasthan Royals, followed by a demoralizing 9-wicket defeat against Delhi Daredevils.

The biggest concern for Mumbai, however, wasn’t just the losses as it was the form of their captain. Ponting, despite all his achievements, was struggling with the bat. In six matches, he had managed to score just 52 runs at a dismal average of 10.40 and a strike rate of 69.33. It was clear that things needed to change, and what Ponting did next would go down as one of the most selfless acts in IPL history.

Ricky Ponting Serving Drinks to Rohit Sharma…

After Mumbai Indians’ crushing defeat against Delhi Daredevils in IPL 2013, Ricky Ponting made a bold and selfless decision as he stepped down as captain midway through the tournament. Recognizing that his own form was holding the team back, he handed over the leadership to a young Rohit Sharma, who was still finding his feet as a captain. But Ponting didn’t just step aside as he made way for Mitchell Johnson, knowing Mumbai needed an express pacer to strengthen their bowling attack.

What happened next, however, truly showcased Ponting’s greatness. In a game later that season, while Mumbai Indians were on the field, the cameras suddenly panned to an unexpected sight as Ponting, carrying drinks for his teammates. A two-time World Cup-winning captain, a legend of the game, now serving water to players much younger than him. When he reached Rohit Sharma, the newly appointed captain looked visibly shocked. He immediately told Ponting that he didn’t need to do this, that a player of his stature shouldn’t be running drinks. But Ponting just continued with it. 

Cricket analyst Harsha Bhogle later shared this heartwarming moment in an interview, calling it one of the most inspiring acts of leadership he had ever seen. He said:

Old Mumbai Indians people talk about when he was made captain in 2013. If you remember, half-way through, he gave the captaincy to Rohit Sharma and then they went on to win. Apparently, in the next game, and this story has come to me – I don’t know how true it is – he was going round the boundary wearing the bib with the Gatorades and the drinks. And there’s this young Indian player [Rohit] on the boundary, and he reacted saying “No no, you can’t do this to me”. Ponting replied, “Dude, if I’m playing, you would be going round the boundary doing it, right? So there’s no difference. I’m not playing, so I’m helping you do better.”

Harsha Bhogle highlighted that while Ricky Ponting is known for his generosity and selflessness, it would be a mistake to think of him as soft. He explained that Ponting, despite stepping down as captain and even serving drinks to his teammates, remained a fierce competitor and a tough leader.

Rohit Sharma’s Record As Mumbai Indians Captain

When Ricky Ponting stepped down as Mumbai Indians captain midway through IPL 2013, the responsibility fell on a young Rohit Sharma. It was a turning point not just for Mumbai Indians but for Rohit himself. Despite the pressure, he embraced the challenge and immediately made an impact. Under his leadership, Mumbai Indians finished second in the points table and stormed into the playoffs. In the final, they defeated Chennai Super Kings to clinch their first-ever IPL title, giving Cricket legends like Ricky Ponting and Sachin Tendulkar a perfect farewell. 

That victory marked the beginning of a new era. With Rohit at the helm, Mumbai Indians became a dominant force in the IPL. His sharp cricketing mind and calm demeanor helped MI build a legacy, winning titles in 2013, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020. Under his captaincy, the team thrived in high-pressure situations, turning Mumbai Indians into the most successful franchise in IPL history. What started as a mid-season change in 2013 became one of the greatest leadership stories in T20 cricket.

Rohit Sharma’s leadership transformed the Mumbai Indians team into an IPL powerhouse. He captained MI in 158 matches, winning 87 and losing 67, with a win percentage of 55.06%. His success rate is among the best in IPL history. Unlike many captains, he also led MI to four tied matches, showing his ability to handle high-pressure situations. His win-loss ratio of 1.29 reflects his dominance, while his low loss percentage of 42.40% proves his consistency. Rohit’s calm and tactical captaincy played a crucial role in MI’s golden era.

Moreover, Rohit Sharma not only led Mumbai Indians brilliantly but also delivered with the bat when it mattered the most. In his 10-year stint as captain, he scored 3986 runs in 158 matches, playing several match-winning knocks. His ability to anchor the innings and accelerate when needed made him one of MI’s biggest assets. Additionally, Rohit holds the record for the most Man of the Match awards by an Indian player in IPL history, proving his all-round impact as a leader and batsman.