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Ponting enjoying his IPL stint

Ponting and McCullum set to return home
Ponting hopes that the team will find good replacements

Kolkata: Australia batsman Ricky Ponting is enjoying sharing the dressing room with youngsters in the Kolkata Knight Riders team and passing on his cricketing knowledge to them.

“I made it a point to mingle with all the youngsters here and pass on my knowledge of the game to them,” Ponting said after offering batting tips to team-mate Laxmi Ratan Shukla here.

Shukla and Ponting were seen having a long chat at the Eden Gardens during a practice session on Thursday. “I enjoyed sharing my experience with them,” Ponting said.

Ponting and Kiwi wicketkeeper-batsman Brendon McCullum are set to return home for national duty after the Knight Riders’ fourth IPL match against Mumbai Indians on April 29. “Can’t help it. McCullum and I have to go. But it’s good for the team that David Hussey will be here.”

Ponting expressed hope that the team would be able to find good replacements. “They’re trying to get two replacements. I’m sure it will work out well.”

On his own form, Ponting pointed out that he had been the victim of a bad decision during his side’s second match against Deccan Chargers here. “But one has to accept such things and carry on,” he said.

Ponting said he felt he had played an important role in the match against Bangalore by keeping a rampaging McCullum company in the middle. McCullum and Ponting had shared a 51-run stand.

Meanwhile, Knight Riders’ coach John Buchanan said a clear favourite for the tournament would emerge after the next three or more matches.

“By then all the teams would have adapted to the format,” said the lanky coach.

He described his side’s next opponent Chennai Super Kings as a ‘very good side.’ — PTI

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