It was Ponting's decision to step down: Rohit Sharma

"Ponting himself opted to sit out of today's (Wednesday) game. We wanted to get our foreign players' combination right, and he volunteered to stay out. It takes a big heart to take such a decision," stand-in skipper Rohit Sharma said at the post match conference.

MI skipper Ricky Ponting (centre) with Anil Kumble (left) and Harbhajan Singh in Kolkata on Wednesday

Ponting, who so far has managed just 52 runs from five innings, did not come out to bat even in the last match against Delhi Daredevils.

Rohit expressed happiness after registering a five wicket win over the Knights, saying the result was crucial for the Mumbai franchise's endeavour to reach the eliminators.u00a0