Thaindian News

Sydney, March 27 (IANS) Australian captain Ricky Ponting Sunday reaffirmed that he will not retire in the near future following his team’s exit from the World Cup and hoped to find form like that of Indian batting legend Sachin Tendulkar.

Reiterating his stand Sunday, Ponting also said that he would not mind giving up captaincy if asked by the selectors to do so.

“I see myself as a leader around the group, simple as that, whether I am captain or not I still think I have got a lot to offer as far as leadership qualities go,” Ponting told reporters here.

“I will know when it is time for me to stop playing any more and I haven’t found that time just yet.”

Ponting scored a century in the quarterfinal against India and ended his lean run in the tournament, but Australia still lost the match. He revealed that knock his given him confidence and could give the much needed boost to his career.

“I guess with even making some runs in this last game that I have played and getting that really good feeling back about my batting again, hopefully it might be a bit of a kick-start for a Tendulkar-sort rebirth, if you like.”

Tendulkar has scored 379 runs in seven 2011 World Cup matches so far and is the third highest run-getter in the tournament.

When asked about shedding captaincy and his batting position, Ponting said: “I am prepared to do whatever they (Cricket Australia) think is in the best interest of the team.”